Egypt ‘regrets’ UN failure to save Aleppo after voting for 2 alternate resolutions

Egypt says it regrets the UN Security Council’s failure to take action to save Syria’s Aleppo after two resolutions to end fighting in the Syrian city failed to pass on Saturday.

Egypt’s UN Ambassador Amr Aboulatta said Cairo, which represents Africa on the 15-member council, voted on a French-drafted resolution and a Russian alternate that would have scaled down military action in Aleppo, according to a foreign ministry statement.

Aboulatta expressed “regrets” over the council’s “failure to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people and eliminate terrorism in Syria as a result of such disagreements.”

Russia vetoed on Saturday the draft resolution presented by France demanding an end to the bombing of Aleppo, but its own rival draft text was rejected after it failed to get a minimum nine votes in favour.

Britain, France and the United States voted against the Russian measure that called for a ceasefire but did not explicitly mention a halt in air strikes.

Russian and Syrian jet fighters have been pounding rebel positions in the eastern part of Aleppo for weeks, leaving dozens dead and hospitals destroyed.

The Egyptian ambassador said the two alternate resolutions gave priority to “ending hostilities in Aleppo and urged the resumption of the political process and negotiations on a transitional period in Syria.”

Aboulatta added that a settlement is possible on the basis of those elements.

“The main reason for the failure of the two drafts comes down to constant disagreement between the council’s members,” Aboulatta said.

Source: Ahram Online