Russia Recalls UNSC Draft Statement on Damascus Attacks Due to West’s Position

MOSCOW- Russia was forced to recall its draft statement of the United Nations Security Council condemning the March 11 terror attack in Damascus because a number of Western countries tried to change the document’s essence, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday, Itar Tass reported.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Security Council often fails to find a common language on the crisis in Syria. “Thus, the politically-motivated position of a number of its Western members made it impossible to reach consensus on the Russia-initiated draft press statement condemning the hideous terror attack in Damascus on March 11 that claimed, according to the latest reports, more than 70 lives,” the ministry said.

 “Seeking to realize their notorious political goals they tried to change the document’s wording by means of including provisions that could be seen as accusations in respect of the Syrian authorities and justification of terrorists’ actions. As a result, we were forced to recall the draft.”

“During discussion of the text representatives of these countries openly gave to understand that they have ‘another standard’ in respect of Syria that does not envisage unconditional condemnation of terrorism,” the ministry noted. “Such approach is fraught with most disastrous consequences.”

“At the same time, we think it vitally important that the Damascus attack was resolutely condemned by the United Nations Secretary General,” the ministry stressed.

Gatilov Regrets Western Countries’ Blocking of Security Council Statement Condemning  Damascus Bombings  

Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov expressed Moscow’s regret over some western countries’ blocking of a Security Council press release condemning the terrorist bombings that took place on Saturday in Damascus.

“Such western stance is expressed every time Moscow suggests condemning terrorist attacks in Syria including the attacks that targeted the Russian embassy in Damascus,” said Gatilov.

He added that the goal of such terror acts is to undermine the cessation of hostilities in Syria and foil the Intra-Syrian dialogue.

Russia Strongly Condemns Damascus Terrorist Attacks

 Russia condemned the recent terrorist attacks occurred near Bab al-Saghir cemetery in Damascus, emphasizing that terrorists should not be allowed to derail the efforts in Astana and Geneva to settle the crisis in Syria, according to SANA.

” Terrorists should not be allowed to implement their intentions to derail the international community’s efforts in Astana and Geneva to enhance the cessation of hostilities and unify all Syrians’ efforts in facing terrorism and moving forward with a political settlement based on the UN Security Council resolution No. 2245,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday.

The statement added that Moscow decisively condemns another barbaric campaign of terrorists, offers condolences to the families of the victims and wishes the injured speedy recovery.

On Saturday, two blasts occurred near Bab al-Saghir cemetery in Damascus, leaving scores of people killed and wounded and causing material damage to the cemetery and public and private properties.

Guterres: Those Responsible for the Bombings Must Be Held Accountable

In New York, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the recent two terrorist explosions in Bab al-Saghir in Damascus which claimed the lives of scores of civilians and injured others.

The Secretary-General is appalled by the utter disregard for human life displayed by the perpetrators, and extends his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, many of whom were pilgrims,” Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said in a statement on Sunday.

Those responsible for the bombings, and anyone carrying out attacks against civilians, must be held accountable, he added.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates addressed letters to the UN top officials demanding that the governments and regimes supporting the terrorist organizations, mainly those of Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar and some Western states, be compelled to stop all forms of support to these organizations.

Germany Condemns Deadly Twin Bombing in Syria’s Damascus – Foreign Ministry

Germany also condemned the deadly twin bombing in Syrian capital of Damascus, the statement published on the German Foreign Ministry’s website read.

“We strongly condemn the terror attacks in Damascus. As a result of this coward attack, dozens of people who were going to hold peacefully a religious ceremony were killed and injured. Such actions demonstrate inhumanity of terrorists. This tragic event also indicates the immediate need for political settlement in Syria,” the statement read.

H.M