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| Syria crisis: Russia vows to veto UN vote on war crimes | Syria crisis: Russia vows to veto UN vote on war crimes |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The UN Security Council will vote on Thursday on a resolution to refer the Syria crisis to the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged war crimes by all sides. | |
| The draft resolution has wide support, with over 50 countries behind the move. | The draft resolution has wide support, with over 50 countries behind the move. |
| But Russia, one of the permanent five members of the council, said it will veto the resolution and called it a "publicity stunt." | But Russia, one of the permanent five members of the council, said it will veto the resolution and called it a "publicity stunt." |
| More than 150,000 people have been killed since the war began in 2011. | More than 150,000 people have been killed since the war began in 2011. |
| The BBC's UN correspondent, Nick Bryant, says Russia argues that the move will destroy any chance of a peaceful solution to the civil war. | The BBC's UN correspondent, Nick Bryant, says Russia argues that the move will destroy any chance of a peaceful solution to the civil war. |
| But France's ambassador to the UN, Gerard Araud, dismissed Moscow's claim, saying the resolution would not "undermine the political process because there is no political process." | But France's ambassador to the UN, Gerard Araud, dismissed Moscow's claim, saying the resolution would not "undermine the political process because there is no political process." |
| The civil war in Syria is now into its fourth year and peace talks have continually failed to yield any significant agreement. | The civil war in Syria is now into its fourth year and peace talks have continually failed to yield any significant agreement. |
| No progress | No progress |
| Earlier this month, the UN and Arab League special envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, stepped down after more than 18 months in the job. | Earlier this month, the UN and Arab League special envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, stepped down after more than 18 months in the job. |
| UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praised the veteran diplomat but admitted the UN had "not been able to make any progress" in Syria. | UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praised the veteran diplomat but admitted the UN had "not been able to make any progress" in Syria. |
| He said that Mr Brahimi had faced "almost impossible odds" because the international community was "hopelessly divided." | He said that Mr Brahimi had faced "almost impossible odds" because the international community was "hopelessly divided." |
| Lobbying around the resolution intensified this week, with 58 countries taking the unusual step of calling on all 193 UN member states to show their support by co-sponsoring the resolution. | Lobbying around the resolution intensified this week, with 58 countries taking the unusual step of calling on all 193 UN member states to show their support by co-sponsoring the resolution. |
| But Russia, President Assad's strongest ally, says it will use its veto once again. | But Russia, President Assad's strongest ally, says it will use its veto once again. |
| Correspondents say that it will be the fourth time Moscow has fended off Western resolutions at the UN since the Syria crisis erupted three years ago. | Correspondents say that it will be the fourth time Moscow has fended off Western resolutions at the UN since the Syria crisis erupted three years ago. |
| Vitaly Churkin, Russia's ambassador to the UN, said the French-drafted resolution was "simply a publicity stunt which will have a detrimental effect, unfortunately, on our joint efforts in trying to resolve politically the crisis in Syria." | Vitaly Churkin, Russia's ambassador to the UN, said the French-drafted resolution was "simply a publicity stunt which will have a detrimental effect, unfortunately, on our joint efforts in trying to resolve politically the crisis in Syria." |
| Syria is not a party to the Rome Statute that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), so the only way it can be referred to The Hague tribunal is by the Security Council. | Syria is not a party to the Rome Statute that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), so the only way it can be referred to The Hague tribunal is by the Security Council. |
| The council has previously referred conflicts in Darfur and Libya to the court, but not with so many non-council members signing on in support. | The council has previously referred conflicts in Darfur and Libya to the court, but not with so many non-council members signing on in support. |
| Western powers say Syrian government forces have committed numerous war crimes, including systematic torture, chemical attacks and indiscriminate "barrel bomb" campaigns. | Western powers say Syrian government forces have committed numerous war crimes, including systematic torture, chemical attacks and indiscriminate "barrel bomb" campaigns. |
| Jihadist rebels have meanwhile been accused of carrying out mass executions of detainees. | Jihadist rebels have meanwhile been accused of carrying out mass executions of detainees. |