BRUSSELS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday vowed to keep pressing for a Gaza ceasefire at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), moments after Russia and China vetoed a US-backed draft resolution.
The UNSC must call for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access, Macron told journalists in Brussels, promising to resume work on an alternative French resolution along with its US, European and Arab partners.
The US, Israel’s main ally, which has vetoed previous ceasefire resolutions, had put forward its own call.
For the first time Washington supported the imperative of a sustained and immediate ceasefire, as well as condemning the October 7 attack by Hamas.
But Beijing and Moscow exercised their vetoes, while Algeria also voted against and Guyana abstained. The other eleven Security Council member countries voted in favor, including permanent members Britain and France.
France in in position to build consensus
Macron said he believed France was in a position to build a consensus — now that it could count on Washington’s backing.
He said that what is important to note is that Washington has changed its position, and expressed its will to defend, very clearly now, a ceasefire.
France has been working on its proposal with Jordan, the UAE, and several other European nations, he said.
Macron was hopeful its diplomatic outreach in the region “may persuade China and Russia not to use their veto.”
