Syria: UN Assembly condemns ongoing violence

The UN General Assembly has voted by an overwheming majority to condemn its own Security Council, for failing to stop the violence in Syria.

It has approved a Saudi-drafted, non-binding resolution, which also lambasts the Syrian government. Member states are demanding a political transition.

“The European Union underlines that those whose presence would undermine the transition should be excluded and that President Assad has no place in the future of Syria,” said Ioannis Vrailas, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to the United Nations.

“The EU continues to urge all opposition groups to put aside their differences and to agree on a set of shared principles and start working towards an inclusive, orderly and peaceful transition in Syria,” he continued.

Escalating violence in Aleppo has done nothing to change the view of Russia, a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It was among 12 countries who opposed Friday’s resolution, saying it was “harmful” and tantamount to a show of support for rebels.

Meanwhile, government military reinforcements are said to have been heading towards Aleppo, where – according to the UN – the army is preparing a massive assault.

In the capital Damascus, footage was said to show damage in the southern district of Tadamon, after government forces reportedly stormed the rebel stronghold.

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