UNITED NATIONS (AA) - United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is looking for a solution for the 2,500 people trapped in the strategically important city of Homs, currently under heavy fire by land and air forces loyal to embattled leader Bashar al-Assad.
The council, charged maintaining international peace and security, is severely crippled in its ability to take actionable decisions on the more than two year old Syrian crisis, which has so far claimed over 90,000 lives according to UN statistics.
UNSC is trying to see whether a unanimous agreement could be reached on a final text that would be released publicly to announce UN's policy towards delivering humanitarian aid to the citizens of Homs and ensuring their safe evacuation out of the city.
The current draft text, distributed to all members by Luxembourg and Australia, says it is primarily the responsibility of the Syrian government to protect civilians. Violations of international law would be pursued, it adds.
Diplomatic sources said Russia wanted extra time to review the text.
If it gives its approval, the statement would be accepted and made public, they said.
Russia had previously supported a press statement for the massacre in the Syrian city of al-Qusair, but then vetoed three related UNSC resolutions.
UN Secretary General earlier said he was deeply concerned about the state of civilians in Homs, calling for the safe entry of humanitarian aid into the city.
