An emergency session of the Security Council on the transfer of aid to Syria

The UN Security Council, on Monday, held an emergency consultation session on authorizing the mechanism for transferring aid to Syria through the Bab al-Hawa crossing on the border with Turkey.

Diplomatic sources at the United Nations told agencies that some amendments had been made to the joint Irish-Norwegian draft resolution to extend the UN mandate for a year, which Russia vetoed against its passage on Friday.

The sources, who declined to be named, did not explain the content of the amendments, adding that "it is not known whether these amendments will meet the Russian demands or not."

The previous mandate expired on July 10, after the Security Council failed to approve its extension, on Friday, due to a Russian “veto.” Russia requires that the resolution be passed for a 6-month extension only.

The Security Council resolution requires the approval of at least 9 of its members, provided that none of the five permanent members, namely Russia, China, the United States, France, and Britain, object to it.

Commenting on the issue, Washington's permanent representative to the United Nations, Linda Thomas Greenfield, said: "We worked all weekend with members of the Security Council to find a compromise."

"The United States is committed to providing assistance to the Syrians in Idlib, and we will continue to fight for the continuation of the cross-border mandate," Greenfield added on Twitter.

Source: Sham Network

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