UN Security Council Expected To Vote On Syria Resolution

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October 04
Diplomats say European nations will call for a vote today on a United Nations Security Council draft resolution that would threaten the Syrian regime with possible punitive measures if the government doesn't immediately halt its military crackdown against civilian protesters.

Reports say, however, that it remains unclear whether veto-holding Security Council member Russia will abstain or veto the resolution.

Russia had earlier threatened to veto any resolution that threatened sanctions against the Syrian regime.

Reports say the word "sanctions" has now been dropped from the draft text, and the text instead warns of unspecified possible "measures" against the Syrian regime if military operations against civilians are not halted.

Diplomats say the United States is expected to support the draft resolution, which has been drawn up by its allies France, Britain, Germany, and Portugal.

Russia, China, India, South Africa, and Brazil have opposed any resolution calling for sanctions, saying such a resolution could be used as a pretext for international armed intervention in Syria.

The UN estimates that more than 2,700 civilians have been killed in the government's crackdown since the Syrian uprising began in mid-March.

compiled from agency reports

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