UNSC examines press statement condemning violence in Syria

The Security Council is examining a press statement that would express "deep concern" at the escalating level of violence in the Syrian conflict and "condemn all violence by all parties." The western text is under silence procedure and will be issued after 4:00 p. m. New York time if no Council member objects to its content. The Council would also express "outrage" at the daily use of airstrikes by the Syrian Government against the city of Aleppo which have left over 700 dead and over 3000 injured since December 15, and "condemn" the indiscriminate use of heavy weapons including SCUD missiles and "barrel bombs" by the Syrian Government in densely populated areas of Aleppo. Recalling that States bear the primary responsibility to protect civilians, the Council would express "gravest concern" at these actions, which represent a "cynical and systematic disregard" of obligations under international humanitarian law to distinguish between the civilian population and combatants; and urge refrain from attacks against civilians and civilian objects. The Council would finally emphasize that the humanitarian situation will continue to deteriorate in the absence of a political solution based on the Geneva Communiqu{ of 30 June 2012 and welcome, in this regard, the convening of the Geneva II Conference on January 22 in Montreux, Switzerland. Diplomats speculate that Russia, Syria's closest ally, would object because the text blames mainly the Syrian Government for the violence. Press statements in the Council are issued by consensus and any of the 15 members has the right to block it.