The UN Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a resolution to renew on the mandate for cross-border humanitarian mechanism in Syria. This was passed with 12 votes in favour and with three abstentions.
Resolution 2533 decides to renew the border crossing of Bab al-Hawa for 12 months, until July 10, 2021, reports Xinhua news agency. China, Russia and the Dominican Republic voted in abstention. Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, made remarks in explanation of China’s vote.
Following the vote on Saturday, Zhang Jun pointed out that years of illegal sanctions have been exacerbating the economic and humanitarian crises in Syria, devastating livelihoods, and bringing untold sufferings to innocent civilians.
The sanctions have also seriously undermined Syria’s ability to respond to COVID-19, Zhang said, adding that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, lifting unilateral coercive measures has become more important and urgent for improving the humanitarian situation in Syria.
Bab al-Salam is the humanitarian gateway to northern Aleppo while Bab al-Hawa serves Idlib.
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