The majority of members of the UN General Assembly have voted for a resolution, condemning the Syrian authorities for actions against the opposition and the peaceful population. They also expressed support for the Arab League’s call for the resignation of Bashar Al-Assad, the Syrian President. 138 voted for the resolution, 12 against and 17 abstained, RIA Novosti reports.
Russia voted against. It proposed only calls for the Syrian opposition to avoid arming itself and stop attacking state structures.
Russian representative to the UN Vitaly Churkin called the resolution project unbalanced.
China, Venezuela, North Korea and Iran voted against the resolution. Chinese deputy representative to the UN Van Ming said that the UN’s actions complicate work and should support peace and stability in the Middle East instead.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the passing of the resolution. He urged Damascus to hear the calls of the international society and the Syrian people.
