STORY: UN chief "disappointed" by Security Council failure to extend Syria cross-border relief operations
DATELINE: July 12, 2023
LENGTH: 0:01:09
LOCATION: UN Headquarters
CATEGORY: POLITICS/MILITARY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the press briefing
2. SOUNDBITE (English): STEPHANE DUJARRIC, Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General
3. various of journalists

STORYLINE:

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is disappointed that the Security Council was not able to reach an agreement on extending the authorization of UN cross-border relief operations in Syria, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.

SOUNDBITE (English): STEPHANE DUJARRIC, Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General
"The Secretary-General is disappointed that the Security Council was not able to reach an agreement today on extending the authorization of United Nations cross-border relief operations in Syria. UN cross-border assistance remains a veritable lifeline for millions of people in the northwest of Syria as humanitarian needs have reached an all-time high since the start of the conflict, while the impact of the devastating February earthquakes is still acutely felt. The Secretary-General calls on all Security Council members to redouble their efforts to support the continued delivery of cross-border assistance to millions of people in dire need in northwest Syria for the longest possible period."

The current authorization of cross-border aid deliveries into Syria expired on Monday, July 10. The Security Council failed on Tuesday to adopt either of the two draft resolutions that would have renewed the mechanism.
   
Russia vetoed a draft resolution tabled by Brazil and Switzerland that called for a nine-month re-authorization. A Russian draft resolution, which would have renewed the mechanism for six months, failed to obtain the required number of votes for approval.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from UN Headquarters.
(XHTV)