Russia, China veto UN demand for seven-day truce in Syria

Russia and China used their Security Council veto power Monday to block a United Nations resolution that would have begun a seven-day truce in Aleppo, Syria.

From Al Arabiya:

Russia and China on Monday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have demanded a seven-day truce in Syria’s Aleppo, with Russia arguing it would allow rebels to regroup and that time was needed for talks between Washington and Moscow.

After criticizing the Security Council’s incapability to reach a solution over Syria, Egypt envoy to UN Amro Abu Al-Atta gave a heartfelt plea.

As Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces have gained ground in the war-stricken city, more and more Syrians are fleeing the conflict, expanding the humanitarian crisis that is reaching into Europe and even the U.S.

Calls for intervention have increased as more and more tragic images and videos find their way into the public conscience — but little action has been taken.

More from Al Arabiya about the blocked U.N. resolution:

The United Nations Security Council voted on a resolution — that Egypt helped to draft — demanding an initial seven-day ceasefire in Aleppo, sources have confirmed to Al Arabiya.

The resolution comes as regime forces continue incursions into the eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo, and seize control of the main road to the Aleppo airport.

The draft also demands humanitarian access to residents trapped in the besieged areas.

Egypt, New Zealand and Spain drafted the resolution demanding the truce after extensive negotiations with Russia — a strong ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It is still uncertain whether Russia will allow the resolution to pass.

According to news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP), the draft resolution states that “all parties to the Syrian conflict shall immediately cease any attacks in the city of Aleppo, to allow urgent humanitarian needs to be addressed” to the tens of thousands of residents of the eastern neighborhoods in the besieged city.

The draft resolution refers to the temporary truce as a preface to a cessation of hostilities in all parts of Syria.

Russia's actions will help Assad strengthen his attack against the rebels, even at the expense of the residents of Aleppo who are suffering under the conflict.