A UN diplomat says Russia has presented a rival UN resolution on the humanitarian crisis in Syria to key Security Council members after threatening to veto a Western and Arab-backed measure threatening sanctions against President Bashar Assad's government.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin gave the text to the four other permanent council members the US, Britain, France and China at a meeting late yesterday, the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private.
The Russian draft includes parts of the Western and Arab text and negotiations were expected to see if the two texts can be merged, the diplomat said.
Western diplomats said their goal is to get council agreement on a resolution demanding immediate access to all areas of Syria to deliver aid.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin gave the text to the four other permanent council members the US, Britain, France and China at a meeting late yesterday, the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private.
The Russian draft includes parts of the Western and Arab text and negotiations were expected to see if the two texts can be merged, the diplomat said.
Western diplomats said their goal is to get council agreement on a resolution demanding immediate access to all areas of Syria to deliver aid.