02.06 Russia Blocks UN's Qusair Resolution, Calls It

MOSCOW, June 2 (RIA Novosti) Russia has blocked British-drafted resolution that criticizes the Syrian regimes offensive in the strategic town of Qusair in Syria, UN diplomatic sources told RIA Novosti on Sunday.

Russia called the draft text unilateral and not reflecting the real situation in Syria, particularly in Qusair, which is close to the border with Lebanon. A diplomat said Moscow blocked the resolution as the UN had failed to make a statement when the rebels seized the town.

According to UN figures, some 1,500 wounded civilians have been trapped in the besieged Syrian town and are in need of emergency.

The UK-drafted UN statement obtained by RIA Novosti said the Syrian government must allow immediate, full and unimpeded access to UN humanitarian agencies to reach the civilians in Qusair.

Syrias Foreign Minister Walid Muallem told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday the country will allow the Red Cross into Qusair after the military operation is over, according to the Syrian State Television.