The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution proposed by Syria that would have condemned Israel for the murders of several UN employees in the Palestinian occupied territories.
Of the 15 council members, 12 voted for the Syrian resolution and two - Bulgaria and Cameroon - abstained.
"We had circulated an alternative draft covering all the questions," said US Ambassador John Negroponte. "Unfortunately, the sponsor (Syria) refuses to engage our proposition."
According to AFP, Negroponte said that, in voting against the resolution, the United States remained "deeply concerned by the siutation of UN employees in conflict situation."
The latest draft resolution proposed by Syria and released to the press, condemns the "killings and destruction" by Israeli troops in the Palestinian territories, including the November 22 death of British UN worker who was shot by Israeli forces at a refugee camp.
The draft resolution expressed "grave concern at the killing by the Israeli occupying forces of several United Nations employees, including the recent killing of one international staff member in the Jenin refugee camp". (Albawaba.com)
