UN likely to vote next week on Syria sanctions

The UN Security Council is likely to vote next week on a draft resolution that would slap sanctions on Syria over the use of chemical weapons. However, it is likely possible that Russia might veto the measure.

Britain, France and the United States are pushing for a ban on the sale of helicopters to Syria and sanctions on 11 Syrians, mostly military officials, and 10 entities linked to chemical attacks in the nearly six-year war. A joint investigation by the



United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has concluded that the Syrian military carried out chemical attacks against three villages in 2014 and 2015.

France and Britain presented drafts on imposing sanctions on Syria in December, but held off on action to give the new US administration time to study it. Meanwhile, Syria has denied using chemical weapons and Russia dismissed the panel's findings as inconclusive.