The United States has called Russia's action in Syria "barbarism" not counter-terrorism, while Moscow's UN envoy says ending the war "is almost an impossible task now" as Syrian Government forces, backed by Moscow, bombed the city of Aleppo.
Key points:
- US says Russia and Bashar al-Assad are pursuing war not peace
- Moscow says Syria is being bombed indiscriminately
- US, British and French ambassadors walk out as Syria's ambassador addresses meeting
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency meeting on Sunday at the request of the United States, Britain and France to discuss the escalation of fighting in Aleppo following the announcement on Thursday of an offensive by the Syrian army to retake Aleppo.
"What Russia is sponsoring and doing is not counter-terrorism, it is barbarism," US ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, told the 15-member council.
"Instead of pursuing peace, Russia and Assad make war.
"Instead of helping get life-saving aid to civilians, Russia and Assad are bombing the humanitarian convoys, hospitals, and first responders who are trying desperately to keep people alive."
A September 9 ceasefire deal between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov aimed at putting Syria's peace process back on track effectively collapsed last week when an aid convoy was bombed.
Ms Power hinted that Russia may have been behind the convoy attack.
"Given when the offensive began it is not unreasonable to think that Syria and Russian forces were literally loading the incendiary munitions and barrel bombs onto their aircraft as Minister Labrov spoke here of making peace," she said.
Russia accused of carrying out war crimes
"The regime and Russia have instead plunged to new depths and unleashed a new hell on Aleppo," Mr Rycroft told the council.
"In short it is difficult to deny that Russia is partnering with the Syrian regime to carry out war crimes."
Russia is one of five veto-powers on the Security Council, along with the United States, France, Britain and China.
The nation hit back, complaining that during the short-lived ceasefire, the US was supposed to get the rebels it backs to separate from terrorist group, Jabhat al-Nusrah.
However that never happened and it was a notable failing because if the ceasefire had lasted, Russia and the US were supposed to work together to target the group.
"In Syria hundreds of armed groups are being armed, the territory of the country is being bombed indiscriminately and bringing a peace is almost an impossible task now because of this," Russian UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin told the council.
Mr Churkin, heard through the UN's interpreter, accused the terrorists of killing people who wanted to leave east Aleppo.
"More than 200,000 people in Aleppo have been prisoners of the terrorist groups … they're trying to use women and children as a human shield."
Ambassadors walk out during Syria's address
Russia and China have protected Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's Government by blocking several attempts at council action.
"It is time to say who is carrying out those air strikes and who is killing civilians," Ms Power said.
"Russia holds a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, this is a privilege and it is a responsibility. Yet in Syria and in Aleppo, Russia is abusing this historic privilege."
As Syria's UN Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari began addressing the council, Ms Power, Mr Rycroft and French UN ambassador Francois Delattre walked out of the chamber, diplomats said.
UN Syria mediator Staffan de Mistura briefed the council meeting on Sunday. He appealed to the council to come up with a way to enforce a cessation of hostilities in Syria.
"I am still convinced that we can turn the course of events. We have proven this more than once before," he said, adding that he would not quit trying to bring peace in Syria.
"Any sign of me resigning would be a signal that the international community is abandoning the Syrians, and we will not abandon the Syrians, and neither will you."
ABC/Reuters
First posted September 26, 2016 04:59:02
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