UNSC unanimously passes resolution to combat Islamic State
All 15 members of the United Nations Security Council voted to adopt a French-proposed resolution urging action against the Islamic State. Describing the IS as "a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security," the resolution called for "member states that have the capacity to do so to take all necessary measures ... on the territory under the control of ISIL."
Russian bid for UN authorized military action
Russia, which had repeatedly called for severing of IS' financial lifelines, was still pushing to get UN authorization to use military force against IS. The initial draft, dated 30 September, was updated and submitted on 18 November, but was veto-ed by Britain and other members because it sought to bolster President Assad's regime. Regardless, Moscow still planned to press ahead with its draft resolution.
Russia's UN Ambassador speaks out
Russia's UN Ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, spoke out against UNSC members blocking the Russian resolution, saying, "We believe the attempts by several members of the UN Security Council to block our work on the project is politically shortsighted."
France proposes anti-terror resolution
France proposed a resolution to take measures to counter the growing ISIS threat. In the last 3 weeks itself, coordinated attacks in Paris killed 130, twin suicide bombings in Beirut killed 43, and a Russian airliner crashed over Egypt's Sinai peninsula killing all 224 people on board. IS claimed responsibility for all three incidents, and also for attacks in Tunisia and Turkey.
Syria's UN Ambassador praises UNSC decision
Bashar Ja'afari, Syria's UN Ambassador, hailed the UN Security Council's decision to unanimously increase efforts to combat the Islamic State, saying, "Welcome to everybody who finally woke up and joined the club of combating terrorists."
French-proposed resolution does not authorize military force
The French-proposed resolution does not, however, constitute an authorisation of military action again IS. This is because the resolution is not drafted under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter which is the only way the UN can authorise use of military force. However, Russia is in the process of drafting a resolution which bids for UN approval of military action against the Islamic State.
UNSC adopts its 14th terror-related resolution
The French-proposed resolution to "take all necessary measures" against the Islamic State became the 14th terror-related resolution to be adopted by the United Nation's most powerful body, the Security Council, since 1999.
