China expresses regret after UN Security Council fails to adopt Russia-backed Middle East resolution

ISTANBUL

China said it was disappointed after the UN Security Council failed to adopt a Russia-backed draft resolution mourning the “tragic loss of life throughout the ongoing hostilities” in the Middle East.

China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, said the draft reaffirmed the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and called on all sides to halt military actions.

The proposal also condemned attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure and urged parties to return to diplomatic negotiations, Fu said, according to the Global Times.

“China welcomes and supports this, and was disappointed and regretful that the draft resolution was not adopted,” he said.

The resolution, introduced by Russia, received four votes in favor Wednesday --from Russia, China, Somalia and Pakistan.

The United States and Latvia voted against it, while nine countries abstained: the United Kingdom, France, Bahrain, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Greece, Liberia and Panama.