Russian draft resolution on Aleppo: Truce that excludes Alnusra

Draft resolution REV nov 29 (Russian Federation)

PP1 Recalling its resolutions 2042 (2012), 2043 (2012), 2118 (2013), 2139 (2014), 2165 (2014), 2175 (2014), 2191 (2014) 2209 (2015), 2254 (2015), 2258 (2015) and 2268 (2016),

PP2 Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, 

PP3 Gravely distressed by the continued deterioration of the devastating humanitarian situation in Syria, and the fact that now more than 13.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria, and that about 6.1 million people are internally displaced (in addition to the half a million Palestinian refugees who had settled in Syria), and several hundred thousand people are suffering in besieged areas,

PP4 Emphasizing that the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria continues to constitute a threat to peace and security in the region, and will continue to deteriorate further in the absence of a full implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities and a political solution to the crisis, and stressing in this regard that there is no military solution to the conflict in Syria, 

PP4bis Taking note of the United Nations 4-point humanitarian plan for Aleppo announced on 10 November 2016,

PP5 Reaffirming its intent, expressed in its resolution 2258 (2015) to take further measures in the event of non-compliance with that resolution and resolutions 2139 (2014), 2165 (2014) and 2191 (2014),

PP6 Recalling that Member States are obligated under Article 25 of the Charter of the United Nations to accept and carry out the Council’s decisions, 

OP1 Decides that all parties to the Syrian conflict shall cease any attacks in the city of Aleppo to allow the United Nations to implement its 4-point humanitarian plan for Aleppo in order for urgent humanitarian needs there to be addressed, including attacks with any weapons, including rockets, mortars, and anti-tank guided missiles, and including shelling and airstrikes, immediately upon the completion of the demand stipulated in paragraph 7 below, while reconfirming that such cessation of attacks does not apply to attacks against “Da’esh”, “Jabhat al-Nusra”, or other terrorist organizations designated by the UN Security Council,  and demands that all parties allow and facilitate immediate, safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to all of Aleppo by the United Nations and its implementing partners;

OP2 Demands, without prejudice to operative paragraph one of this resolution, that all parties immediately implement and ensure full implementation of the cessation of hostilities, including the call for humanitarian agencies to be provided with rapid, safe, and unhindered access throughout Syria, as described in Security Council Resolution 2268 (2016), including the Annex referred to therein; and stresses that the Cessation of Hostilities does not apply to “Da’esh”, “Jabhat al-Nusra”, or other terrorist organizations designated by the UN Security Council; 

OP2bis Demands that pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 above armed opposition groups fighting in eastern Aleppo immediately present their relevant public commitments duly signed by their leaders, and further decides that those exercising control over or influence with these groups present firm public assurances that such groups will cease all attacks by virtue of the obligations under paragraphs 1 and 2 above;

OP2ter Demands that pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 above the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic immediately present its relevant public commitments, and further decides that those supporting the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic present firm public assurances that the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and its allied forces cease all attacks by virtue of the obligations under paragraphs 1 and 2 above;

OP3 Demands that all parties to the Syrian conflict, in particular the Syrian authorities, immediately comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law as applicable, including with respect to all besieged and hard-to-reach areas, and fully and immediately implement all the provisions of Security Council resolutions 2139 (2014), 2165 (2014) 2191 (2014), 2199 (2015), 2254 (2015), 2258 (2015) and 2268 (2016), and recalls that violations and abuses committed in Syria must not go unpunished;

OP3bis Decides that the early implementation of the United Nations 4-point humanitarian plan for Aleppo, including the compilation of lists of the sick and wounded to be evacuated, requires thorough preparatory work by the United Nations including the United Nations’ firm assurance that this plan will be expeditiously implemented once the provisions of paragraphs 1, 2, 2bis and 2ter above are met;

OP4  Strongly condemns acts of violence, attacks and threats against the wounded and sick, medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities;

OP5 Calls upon the parties to the conflict to support the UN’s and its implementing partners’ planning for, and actions to facilitate expeditiously, including through local agreements, the evacuation of the wounded and sick, the elderly, children and maternity cases from besieged and hard-to-reach areas to places of their choosing based solely on urgency and need;

OP6 Calls on Member States to prevent material and financial support from reaching individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh), Al-Nusra Front (ANF), and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al Qaeda or ISIL, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the Security Council, and urges members of the International Syria Support Group to do their utmost to dissuade any party from fighting in collaboration with them;

OP7 Calls upon all parties to the conflict to affirm their determination to cease all collaboration with individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh), Al-Nusra Front (ANF), and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al Qaeda or ISIL, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the Security Council, and further demands that all combatants not designated by virtue of Security Council resolutions take steps to separate expeditiously from terrorist groups designated by virtue of Security Council resolutions;

OP7bis Demands that lists of terrorist fighters to be relocated or those willing to be relocated from eastern Aleppo be compiled without delay through local arrangements as a necessary condition for the expeditious separation between combatants and terrorist groups as set out in paragraph 7 above;

OP8 Welcomes discussions between the Co-Chairs of the International Syria Support Group together with other Member States and the United Nations, in Lausanne on 15 October and subsequently in Geneva, and urges those involved to translate those discussions into actions that improve the humanitarian situation of the Syrian people and contribute to the full implementation of this resolution;

OP9 Calls upon all relevant Member States, in particular the members of the International Syria Support Group, to coordinate efforts in order to:

        i Ensure adequate monitoring of the cease-fire in the city of Aleppo as well as the Cessation of Hostilities throughout Syria in accordance with the procedures set out by the Co-Chairs of the International Syria Support Group, 

       ii Allow and facilitate immediate, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access to all areas, including to besieged and hard-to-reach areas throughout Syria, on the basis of needs assessed by the United Nations,

        iii Prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh), Al-Nusra Front (ANF), and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al Qaeda or ISIL, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the Security Council and to eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Syria, 

OP10 Reaffirms that Member States must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law;

OP11 Demands the full and immediate implementation of the political process outlined in Security Council Resolution 2254, and in that respect reiterates that the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in Syria is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people in line with the Geneva Communiqué and Security Council Resolution 2254, and in this regard strongly supports the intention of the Secretary-General, through his good offices and the efforts of his Special Envoy for Syria, to convene formal negotiations as soon as possible;

OP12 Requests that the Secretary-General report to the Security Council on the implementation of this resolution and provide options to preserve the cessation of hostilities in the city of Aleppo within 14 days of the adoption of this resolution and subsequently within the framework of its reporting on resolution 2268 (2016), taking into account discussions held in Lausanne and Geneva;

OP13 Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

Follow me on Twitter @NabilAbiSaab

Security Council welcomes electing Aoun, calls Lebanese parties to withdraw from Syria

Draft Presidential Statement of the UN Security Council  

The Security Council recalls all its previous resolutions and the statements of its President on the situation in Lebanon, including its statement of 22 July 2016 (S/PRST/2016/10). The Security Council reaffirms its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of Lebanon, in accordance with resolutions 1701, 1680, and 1559.

The Security Council welcomes the election of the President of the Republic of Lebanon Michel Aoun in accordance with the Lebanese constitution. The election is a long-awaited and critical step to overcome Lebanon’s political and institutional crisis. The Security Council urges the new President of the Republic of Lebanon and Lebanese leaders to build on their efforts thus far by continuing to work constructively to promote the country’s stability, and by swiftly forming a government.

The Security Council stresses that the formation of a unity government and the election of a parliament by May 2017, in accordance with the Constitution, are critical for Lebanon’s stability and resilience to withstand regional challenges. The Security Council encourages all parties in Lebanon to demonstrate renewed unity and determination to that end, in order to ensure Lebanon’s ability to address the growing security, economic, social and humanitarian challenges facing the country.

The Security Council affirms that the preservation of Lebanon’s stability is essential to regional stability and security. The Security Council underscores its previous calls on all Lebanese parties to recommit to Lebanon’s policy of dissociation and to cease any involvement in the Syrian crisis, consistent with their commitment in the Baabda declaration.

The Security Council commends Prime Minister Tammam Salam for his leadership throughout the difficult period and his efforts to enable the Government to function effectively without a President. The Security Council further commends Speaker Nabih Berri for his efforts at fostering continued dialogue among all Lebanese parties.

The Security Council expresses its appreciation for the International Support Group (ISG) for Lebanon and calls on the international community, including international organizations, to ensure continued support to Lebanon in addressing the economic, security and humanitarian challenges facing the country. The Security Council reiterates its support to the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, and encourages her to pursue her good offices role in this crucial period for Lebanon, in close coordination with the ISG.

Follow me on Twitter @NabilAbiSaab