United Nations Radio

The UN Security Council on Friday expressed concern about the worsening fighting in Georgia's breakaway enclave of South Ossetia, but could not agree on a statement urging the warring sides to renounce the use of force.

Russia called an emergency session of the 15-nation council that began at 11.00 pm, Thursday, in New York with closed talks for two hours. The session continued with an open meeting and public speeches by Russia, Georgia and other council members for another hour.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin (photo), says the key sticking point was "the reluctance" of some council members to accept a reference to the need for the warring parties "to renounce the use of force":

"Some members of the Security Council were somehow reluctant to call on the parties including Georgia of course, to refrain from the use of force and we think that this is a very serious blunder of judgment, error of judgment and political blunder."

The UN Security Council has scheduled consultations for Friday afternoon to discuss the situation in Georgia. It's the second time in the past 24 hours that the Council is meeting on that topic.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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