Security Council's inaction on Syria "a shame" says French ambassador
Listen /
Gérard Araud
It's a shame that the Security Council is unable to act on Syria where the conflict between government and opposition forces has intensified, says Ambassador Gérard Araud of France.
France, one of the five permanent members of the Council, has assumed the rotating presidency of the Council in August.
The French ambassador says the problem is that the Security Council is blocked from taking action on Syria.
"We have faced three Russian/Chinese vetoes and, in a sense, we are unable to act. And, of course, it's a pity for the Syrians. It's a pity also for the credibility of the Security Council. So I think we have to be reactive and if the horror that the Syrians are suffering is reaching new heights, I think the French presidency will feel obliged to act and to try to renew our efforts to have the Security Council doing something. It's a shame, to be frank."
(Duration: 28")
Ambassador Araud said he would also like to see action on Mali, where more than 400,000 people have been displaced by a military coup and conflict in the north of the country.
