Proposed Resolution on Chemical Weapons in Syria Unacceptable: Gatilov

GENEVA -The Western version of a UN Security Council resolution on chemical weapons, envisaging sanctions against Syria, is unacceptable for Russia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said Monday.according to Sputnik.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Vladimir Safronkov said that the proposed UN Security Council draft resolution on chemical weapons use in Syria contradicted the principle of presumption of innocence and prejudged investigation results. On Friday, Safronkov stressed that Russia will veto the UN Security Council’s draft resolution imposing sanctions on Syria over alleged use of chemical weapon.

 He stressed the Joint Investigation Mission’s review of the cases of chemical weapons use in Syria should be impartial and objective.

Gatilov said “the Western version of the resolution is unacceptable to us.”

At the end of 2016, France and the United Kingdom submitted a draft resolution to the Security Council calling for sanctions against those found guilty of using chemical weapons in Syria.

Gatilov also said that he would meet with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura in Geneva, and did not rule out a meeting with the so-called “Higher Negotiations Committee” of the “Syria opposition” which is taking part in the intra-Syrian talks.

H.M