Russia blocks Syria chemical-weapons probe's renewal

New York [USA], November 17 (ANI): Russia has vetoed the U.S.-initiated draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to renew the investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

The U.S. draft got enough votes to be passe, but Russia used its right to veto to block the American-sponsored resolution at the UNSC.

Along with Russia, Bolivia voted against the U.S. draft, while China and Egypt abstained, Tass news agency reported.

Tass news agency quoted Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya as saying that Moscow was withdrawing its draft as the Security Council had refused to satisfy Moscow's request to consider the US draft first.

Criticizing the Russian veto, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said Moscow had struck a "deep blow" to UN efforts to identify those using chemical weapons and deter future attacks.

Russia has now vetoed 10 resolutions on Syria at the United Nations since the conflict started in 2011.

The veto means the mandate of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW-UN) Joint Investigative Mechanism will today.

The panel has found that both the Syrian government and Islamic State militants have used chemical poisons in the war.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump urged the UNSC to renew the investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

"Need all on the UN Security Council to vote to renew the Joint Investigative Mechanism for Syria to ensure that Assad Regime does not commit mass murder with chemical weapons ever again," Trump said in a tweet.

The UNSC had adopted a resolution calling for the formation of the JIM and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in 2015 to determine who is behind chemical-weapons attacks in Syria. after suspected chemical attacks by the regime of Bashar Assad. (ANI)