Euros Push for UN Sanctions Against Syria

The United States, which on Thursday called for President Assad to step aside and announced new targeted sanctions including against Syria’s petroleum sector, threw its support behind the Europeans. U.S. Deputy U.N. Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo:

“I would like to stress that we support further action in the Security Council through a resolution," said Di Carlo. "More than ever the Security Council should increase pressure on Assad’s regime.”

But it could be a lengthy and difficult process to persuade council members Russia and China not to veto such a measure.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay flew in from Geneva to address the closed meeting. She told reporters afterwards that she recommended the Security Council refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court, noting the council is the only body that has the power to do so.

“I also recommended referral to the International Criminal Court http://www.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/Europeans-to-Push-for-Syrian-Sanctions-in-UN-Security-Council--128044768.html