UN rejects Russian resolution on Syria
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The UN Security Council has rejected a Russian resolution that would have created a new expert body to determine responsibility for chemical weapons attacks in Syria.
The resolution needed at least nine "yes" votes in the 15-member council for approval, but only six countries voted in favor. Seven council members, including the US, Britain and France, voted against the proposal and two abstained.
US Ambassador Nikki Haley said the draft resolution was not impartial or independent since it would allow Russia to veto investigators and staff for the new body—and to block its findings.
She accused Russia, a close ally of the Syrian government, of repeatedly shielding President Bashar Assad instead of working for Security Council unity.
