UN Security Council agrees to monitor evacuation in Syria

(Baonghean.vn) - On December 19, the United Nations Security Council agreed to promptly send observers to Aleppo city to monitor the evacuation process and report on the situation of people in the northern Syrian city.

People from eastern Aleppo evacuate to the town of al-Rashideen. Photo: Reuters.

The Security Council approved a French-drafted resolution, the first time in months that the UN's powerful body has reached a rare consensus on Syria. The resolution calls on the UN and other organizations to carry out neutral and appropriate monitoring measures. French UN Ambassador Francois Delattre said the priority was to save as many people as possible and prevent further massacres in Aleppo.

For the first time in many months, the major powers have reached a high level of consensus on the Syrian crisis. Photo: AP

The resolution, unanimously approved by all 15 members of the Security Council, calls on all parties to provide monitors with safe, immediate and unhindered access to blockaded areas.

Earlier, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said Russia was ready to use its veto power to block the draft resolution "because it would be a disaster". According to Mr. Churkin, Russia will put forward its own proposals on monitoring. So far, Moscow has vetoed six draft resolutions on Syria since the conflict in the Middle Eastern country began in March 2011.

Lan Ha

(According to Aljazeera)