“Any particular pressure that can be brought to bear on the parties to make sure there will be such a cessation of hostilities would be a step forward,” Haq told reporters at UN headquarters in New York. “How can that be accomplished? As you know, different parties have tried different means, but nothing has succeeded so far and we need a step forward.”
On Monday, the UN Security Council failed to adopt a draft resolution on Syria, co-sponsored by New Zealand, Egypt and Spain, that called for a seven-day ceasefire. Russia used its veto on the Council to block the resolution, saying it needed more consultations to be implemented effectively; China and Venezuela also voted against the draft.
Russia’s vote prompted condemnation by other Security Council members.
