Russia, China block anti-Syria UNSC resolution

Russia and China have vetoed a Western-proposed draft United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution against the Syrian government over its alleged use of chemical weapons.

On Tuesday, the measure, drafted by Britain, France and the US, got the minimum nine "yes" votes.

However, Russia, China and Bolivia opposed the resolution while Kazakhstan, Ethiopia and Egypt abstained.

UN resolutions need nine positive votes and no vetoes to pass.

This is the seventh time that Russia blocks an anti-Syria resolution and the sixth time that China does so.

The defeated resolution would have blacklisted 11 Syrians, mainly military commanders, and 10 entities allegedly linked to chemical attacks in 2014 and 2015. It would also have banned the supply of helicopters to Damascus.

The vetoed resolution followed a UN-led probe that claimed the Syrian government was behind at least three attacks involving chlorine gas.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier denounced the resolution as “inappropriate” and warned that Moscow would not support fresh restrictive measures against Damascus.

After the measure was defeated, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said, "This resolution is very appropriate.”

SS