Russia submits new Syria draft resolution to UNFebruary 13, 2014 - 12:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia has offered a new draft resolution to the United Nations on the crisis in Syria as a counter-proposal to another proposal it dismissed last week, Russia’s UN spokesman said Thursday, Feb 13, according to RIA Novosti. Russia submitted the resolution on Wednesday night during an informal meeting of the UN Security Council’s five permanent members in New York, said Alexei Zaitsev, Russia’s press attaché in the UN. Zaitsev did not explain the details of the resolution, written as alternative to another proposal jointly submitted to the UN by Australia, Luxembourg and Jordan last week. That resolution, supported by the UK, U.S. and France, would have imposed sanctions on Syria if it did not comply with certain demands on supplying humanitarian aid within 15 days. Russia denounced the text as a non-starter, calling it unacceptable and saying it contained one-sided accusations against the Syrian government. U.S. President Barack Obama slammed Russia’s recalcitrance in response, accusing it of indifference to Syrian citizens. Russia has used its Security Council veto to block three UN resolutions against the Syrian government and has been its main ally since fighting broke out between government troops and armed rebels there three years ago. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |