Nebenzia: US, allies fully responsible for Gaza plan outcome
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Russian UN Envoy Vassily Nebenzia said the burden of implementing US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan now rests fully on those who drafted and supported it, especially eight Arab-Muslim states.
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Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia speaks during a meeting in the United Nations Security Council on September 7, 2022. (AP)
Russia chose not to submit its own draft resolution on Gaza at the UN Security Council, Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia confirmed during a Council session on Monday.
The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution, backed by the United States, to authorize the creation of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in the Gaza Strip.
The resolution was approved by 13 of the 15 Council members, with Russia and China abstaining from the vote.
The resolution aims to deploy a temporary foreign force to oversee security, support reconstruction, and maintain order in the territory. The draft calls for the force to operate for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of extension depending on developments on the ground.
The resolution grants the force a broad mandate, including securing Gaza’s borders, protecting civilians, safeguarding humanitarian corridors, and training a newly vetted Palestinian police force. It also authorizes the use of “all necessary measures” to fulfill these objectives, including dismantling armed groups and seizing "unauthorized weapons".
"Russia has taken note of the position of Ramallah, as well as many Arab Muslim states that have supported the US draft, in order to avoid renewed bloodshed in the enclave. In this regard, we decided not to submit our own draft, which was intended to amend the US concept to bring it into line with agreed-upon UN resolutions," Nebenzia stated.
The Russian Permanent Mission clarified that the purpose of its draft was to align the US proposal more closely with longstanding UN resolutions. It stressed that Moscow's version was not in contradiction with the US initiative but aimed to adjust the framework to reflect internationally agreed principles.
Implementation of US Gaza plan lies entirely with its backers
Nebenzia said the burden of implementing the Gaza plan now rests fully on those who drafted and supported it, especially the eight Arab-Muslim states.
He expressed hope that the US could successfully demonstrate its peacekeeping capacity. For now, however, he noted that the full responsibility for implementing Trump's plan lies with its "authors and supporters, primarily from the eight Arab-Muslim states."
Nebenzia on UNSC vote: 'A sad day for the Council
Commenting on the US-sponsored resolution authorizing an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia said the decision marks a low point for the UN Security Council.
"Beyond the wishes of the interested parties, there's also the concept of the integrity of the Security Council. And today, with the adoption of this resolution, that integrity and the Council's prerogative were violated," he said.
Nebenzia warned that the resolution must not serve as a pretext for future geopolitical manipulation in Gaza and become cover for "US-Israeli experiments."
