Russia presents new draft counter-terrorism resolution in UN

Moscow, Feb 13 (IANS/ITAR -TASS) Russia has tabled another draft resolution against terrorism at the UN Security Council (SC), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday after a meeting between Russian and Egyptian foreign and defence ministers.

"We do not only rely on basic principles, namely the need to fight terrorism without exception approved by the SC and the UN's other units, but also bear in mind the call in the statement of G8 leaders adopted last June on the government and the opposition to join efforts and root out terrorism on Syrian soil," he said.

"We are extremely concerned about the evolution of some Western partners' attitude to the problem of terrorism in principle. They say that as long as (Syrian President Bashar al) Assad is in power, terrorism cannot be halted," he added.

According to Lavrov, this means the Western powers "retreat from the essential universal principle that there is nothing to justify terrorism" and in this way seek to vindicate it.

"We are sure there is a need for frank dialogue taking into account all factors influencing affairs in Syria rather than for attempts to speculate upon the Syrian crisis and the UN Security Council's authority in order to attain unilateral geopolitical goals," he stated.

"Our position is clear... We adhere to Geneva communique 2012 and its implementation without exceptions."

Russia had also presented a draft resolution on the humanitarian situation in Syria, Lavrov confirmed.

"It is a self-contained document, unlike the amendments proposed by Luxembourg, Australia and Jordan," said the minister.

"This is our view of what role the Security Council may play if we want to promote resolution rather than antagonise one side or the other."

--IANS/ITAR-TASS

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