UN council set to discuss about Syria

UNITED NATIONS: The Security Council was scheduled to discuss the crisis in Syria yesterday, where Western and Arab nations could make public its draft resolution that condemns deadly government crackdown, diplomats said.

The unexpected meeting was announced by the French diplomacy after representatives of the five permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - met Thursday at the new resolution.

consultations yesterday were called by Morocco, an Arab member of the current 15-nation body that has been unable to agree on a resolution on Syria since protests broke out in March.

"A draft resolution could be sent to all members of the Council tomorrow," said a Security Council diplomat.

A new resolution strongly supporting the Arab League initiative to end the crisis in Syria has been drawn up by Britain, France, Germany and Arab countries, including Morocco and Qatar.

Supporters of the project hope for a vote next week. Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi of Qatar and Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al-Thani is to inform the Council on Syria on Monday or Tuesday.

The Arab League has called on President Bashar al-Assad to release the powers of a deputy to elections can be held in Syria, where the UN says more than 5,400 people have died.

Russia and China used its veto power as permanent members of the board to block a European resolution in October.

Russia has proposed from its own resolution, but have hardly been negotiations on the offer that Western countries have called unbalanced.

"This would be the response of a number of countries for the resolution of Russia and the right of veto in October," said a Western diplomat, referring to Friday's meeting and the new project.

The draft resolution, obtained by AFP, "condemns the continuing grave and widespread violations of human rights" and makes a new call for an immediate end to government repression.

If the current project agrees, saying the council "fully supports" the plan of the Arab League on January 22, which calls on Assad to deliver power "to facilitate a political transition to a democratic pluralistic politics." The draft resolution refers to sanctions that could be opposed by Russia and China.

The resolution "taking note" of the Arab League economic sanctions ordered on 27 November and "encourages all states to adopt similar measures and to cooperate fully with the League of Arab States in the implementation of its measures." Russia and China vetoed the resolution because the European past said it was part of a campaign for regime change by the West. They have said they oppose any hint of sanctions.

AFP