UN in non-binding call to Assad to step down

by David Batty
The Guardian
February 17, 2012

http://www.middleeastclarity.com/4238/un-in-non-binding-call-to-assad-to-step-down

The UN general assembly has approved a resolution backing an Arab League plan that calls on the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to step down and strongly condemns human rights violations in Syria by his regime. The vote in the 193-member body was 137-12 with 17 abstentions.

Russia and China, who vetoed a similar resolution in the security council, voted against the resolution. There are no vetoes in the general assembly and its resolutions are not legally binding, but they do reflect world opinion on major issues.

Western diplomats were hoping for a high yes vote to deliver a strong message to Assad to immediately end all human rights violations and attacks on civilians and hand power to his vice-president. "Today the UN General Assembly sent a clear message to the people of Syria - the world is with you," US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/16/un-general-assembly-assad-syria

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