United States Vetoes UN Security Council Resolution Proposed by Russia on Middle East Ceasefire
The United States exercised its veto power against a draft UN Security Council resolution proposed by Russia regarding calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East. The vote took place on Wednesday, 11 March, as reported by the RIA Novosti news agency.
The resolution proposed by Moscow contained calls for an end to the conflict in the Middle East and condemned attacks targeting civilians. However, the draft failed to be adopted after the United States exercised its veto.
In the UN Security Council vote, Latvia also stated its opposition to the document. Meanwhile, nine countries chose to abstain and four other member states gave their support.
The draft resolution proposed by Russia called on all parties involved in the conflict to immediately cease hostilities in the Middle East and surrounding regions. The document also emphasised condemnation of any attack targeting civilians and urged the parties involved in the conflict escalation to return to diplomatic channels. Nevertheless, the draft did not specifically name any particular country.
Additionally, the document emphasised the importance of ensuring the security of all countries in the Middle East and surrounding regions.
In its preamble, the UN Security Council also expressed sorrow over loss of life resulting from the ongoing conflict. The document simultaneously reaffirmed the prohibition on the use of force against the territorial integrity of any state.
Earlier that same day, the UN Security Council had adopted another resolution drafted by Bahrain. The resolution contained demands for Iran to cease its attacks on Gulf states.
However, the resolution did not mention military attacks by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic, according to reports from RIA Novosti’s correspondent.
In the vote on the resolution proposed by Bahrain, thirteen countries gave their support. Meanwhile, Russia and China chose to abstain.
The resolution condemned Iran’s attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, and demanded that such attacks be halted immediately.
On the other hand, the document also did not contain any mention of aggression by the United States and Israel, nor did it include any call on these two countries to cease their attacks on Iran.
This move marks the 50th US veto of a resolution related to Israel since it was first used in 1970. The United States exercised its veto power in the UN Security Council session to block a resolution regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.