Russia demands UN Security Council Action on Gaza

United Nations- Russia has demanded to upgrade diplomatic efforts in face of the worsening of the situation in Gaza and criticized actions delaying the approval of a UN Security Council statement on the issue, according to Prensa Latina.

We deplore that a draft press communiqué presented by Morocco in the name of the Arab League, is still stuck in negotiations and consultations, said the Russian Permanent Representative before the UN, Vitali Churkin.

In statements to correspondents in the UN headquarters and without mentioning countries, the Moscow ambassador criticized the members of the Security Council that introduce amendments and try to prevent the adoption of a communiqué.

In that regard, Churkin pointed the need for a strong statement from the UN Security Council in order to cease the violence or as a support to efforts now in motion.

The Russian representative announced the possible introduction by his country of a draft resolution claiming and immediate cease of the violence and the establishment of a cease fire, while supporting the actions for a political and peaceful settlement.

Churkin reiterated the proposal of his government to convoke an urgent ministerial meeting of the so-called Quartet for the Middle East, made up by the United States,. Russia, the UN and the European Union.

That mechanism has to carry out its role to prevent a worsening of the already extremely dangerous situation in Gaza.