Draft resolution on ceasefire in Syria fails to pass in UNSC

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has held discussions on the situation in Syria's conflicting enclave of Eastern Ghouta but failed to agree on a resolution calling for a 30-day ceasefire in the war-torn country.

The council on Thursday was considering a resolution, drafted by Kuwait and Sweden, that demands "a cessation of hostilities throughout Syria for all military operations except those directed at the Islamic State (IS), Al-Qaeda and al Nusra Front" for 30 days to allow aid deliveries and medical evacuations, Xinhua reported.

Swedish Ambassador to the UN Olof Skoog said he hoped the council could vote on the resolution on Thursday. But Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said he would propose amendments to the text for "it to be realistic."

No agreement was reached at the council on the ceasefire "as the conflict deepens in the Arab country due to a sharp rise in terrorist attacks," according to Nebenzia.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday appealed to the council to approve the ceasefire draft resolution, and especially to help the 400,000 besieged residents of Eastern Ghouta, whom he said, "live in hell on Earth".

--IANS

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