Russia proposes its own UN resolution on Gaza in challenge to US draft
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The US mission to the UN said the ceasefire is fragile and it urged the Security Council to move forward to secure the peace in Gaza.
PHOTO: EPA
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WASHINGTON - Russia on Nov 13 proposed its own draft of a UN resolution on Gaza in a challenge to a US effort to pass its own text at the Security Council that would endorse President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, according to a copy of the draft seen by Reuters.
The US formally circulated the draft resolution to the 15 Council members last week and has said it has regional support for its resolution that would authorise a two-year mandate for a transitional governance body
Russia’s UN mission said in a note to Security Council members on the afternoon of Nov 13, seen by Reuters, that its “counter-proposal is inspired by the US draft.”
“The objective of our draft is to enable the Security Council to develop a balanced, acceptable, and unified approach toward achieving a sustainable cessation of hostilities,” the note said.
The Russian draft, also seen by Reuters, requests that the UN Secretary-General identify options for an international stabilisation force for Gaza, and does not mention the “Board of Peace” that the US has proposed as a transitional administration for Gaza.
The US mission to the UN urged the Security Council to move ahead with Washington’s resolution.
“Attempts to sow discord now – when agreement on this resolution is under active negotiation – has grave, tangible, and entirely avoidable consequences for Palestinians in Gaza,” a US mission spokesperson said.
“The ceasefire is fragile and we urge the Council to unite and move forward to secure the peace that is desperately needed.”
Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas agreed
That 20-point plan is annexed to the draft US resolution.
Mr Trump has ruled out sending US soldiers into the Gaza Strip, but officials have described a force of about 20,000 troops and have been in discussions with Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Azerbaijan to contribute. REUTERS
