As the US and its western allies prepare for a possible strike against Syria over the alleged use of chemical weapons, Britain today said it will present a resolution to the UN Security Council seeking authorisation for military action.
Though it is not yet clear how two permanent members of the Security Council – Russia and China – would respond to the UK-led move backed by the US and France, any resolution seeking UN approval for a military strike is expected to face resistance.
For the passage of the resolution, Britain, the US and France – also permanent members of the Security Council – need the support of Russia and China, which have veto powers.
“Britain has drafted a resolution condemning the attack by the Assad regime, and authorising all necessary measures under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter to protect civilians from chemical weapons,” a 10 Downing Street spokesperson said in London.
The resolution will be put forward at a meeting of the five permanent members of the Security Council later today in New York, the spokesperson said.
“We have always made clear that we want the UN Security Council to live up to its responsibilities on Syria. Today, we are giving its permanent members the opportunity to do that,” the spokesperson said.
In Geneva, United Nations and Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi said the international law is clear on military strikes. “International law says that military action must be taken after a decision by the Security Council…What will happen, then again, I don’t know,” he said.
“I think I must say that I do know that President (Barack) Obama and the American administration are not known to be trigger-happy. What they will decide I don’t know. But certainly international law is very clear, the Security Council has to be brought in,” Brahimi said in response to a question from reporters in Geneva.
Syria is now undoubtedly the most serious crisis facing the international community and the Middle East, he said.
Referring to the death of hundreds of Syrians as a result of the alleged use of chemical weapons by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, he said this is unacceptable.
“This is outrageous. This confirms how dangerous the situation in Syria is and how important for the Syrians and the international community to really develop the political will to address this issue seriously and look for a solution for it,” he said.
Responding to questions on possible US strike on Syria, he said he does not know if that decision has been taken by the Americans.
“Because it is the Americans who are said to be thinking of this military intervention. I don’t know if they have taken that decision, I don’t know what they are going to do,” he said.
“I have spoken to the Americans. I have spoken to the Russians. Both sides, both countries tell me that they are still interested and committed to the Geneva II Conference.
“They both know that what has happened on August 21 will have an effect on how we proceed and how we get to that conference. But apart from that, I don’t know anything more,” he asserted.
UN inspectors are in Syria collecting evidence on the alleged use of chemical weapons.
“They have already spent one day in one area where this substance, whatever it is, has been used. They have come back with a lot of samples. They have talked to doctors, they have talked to witnesses,” Brahimi said.
“As we speak, if I am not mistaken, what I heard less than a couple of hours ago is that they are in another area, just now, as we speak. And we are waiting to see what they are going to tell us.
“I know that the Americans and the British and others say that they know that chemical weapons have been used. What we have been told is that this evidence that the Americans, the British, the French say they have, is going to be shared with us.
“It hasn’t been until now. And we will be very, very, very interested to hear from them what this evidence they have is,” Brahimi said.