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UNITED NATIONS – Russia on Wednesday vetoed a Security Council draft resolution that would have renewed the Mali sanctions regime.
The draft resolution, tabled by France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), won 13 votes in favour. Russia voted against it. China abstained.
A competing draft resolution tabled by Russia failed to win enough votes in favour for its adoption.
To be adopted, a Security Council resolution needs nine votes in favour and no veto from any of the five permanent members of the council — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
After the vote on the draft resolution tabled by France and the UAE, Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said his country had to cast a veto because the draft did not take into consideration Mali’s concerns and the Russian position.
In a letter sent to Security Council members earlier this month, Mali asked the council to terminate the sanctions regime – travel ban and asset freeze.
Before the vote on the Russian-drafted text, Nebenzia ruled out a return of the sanctions regime if Russia’s draft was not adopted.
“So please do heed our words and vote in favour of this (Russian) draft,” he said. “If this is not adopted, then there is no coming back to discussing any further resolution on this matter.” – Xinhua
Online Reporter