Washington blocks a Security Council statement that supports Russian-Turkish agreement on Idleb

New YORK, (ST)- The United States on Friday blocked the adoption of a Security Council statement that expresses support for the Russia-Turkish agreement on halting combat operations in Idleb.

The Security Council convened on Friday at Russia’s request.

AFP quoted diplomats as saying that when Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya asked the 14 members of the Security Council to adopt a joint document supporting the Russian-Turkish agreement, Washington rejected the request saying that it is “too early” to do that.

 In a news conference following the Security Council session, Nebenzya said that the agreement is generally under implementation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced the he and his Turkish counterpart reached an agreement to halt combat operations in Syria’s Idleb, saying that the agreement underlined that both Moscow and Ankara remained committed to maintaining the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria and to pressing ahead with fighting terrorism.

It is to be noted that the US has sought to influence the situation on the ground in Syria. The US envoy to the UN Kelly Craft actually went into Idlib and met with the “White Helmets” terrorist organization which has close connections to terrorists affiliated with Al-Qaeda.

Hamda Mustafa