4^th August, 2012, United Nations: The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on Syria which denounced the violence in the country and called for a political transition. India was one of the 31 countries that were abstained from voting. The resolution expressed a grave concern regarding the intensifying violence in Syria. On Friday, out of 193 members, 133 members voted for the resolution. The resolution also asked for the lock down of Syria’s biological and chemical weapons.

Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s permanent representative to the United Nations Ambassador, told that the resolution makes exact reference to the 22^nd July resolution that “openly called for President Assad to step down from power and for other UN members to severe diplomatic relations and contacts with Syria.”

“It is unfortunate that this element of the present resolution was not removed, and hence we have abstained from the resolution,” added Puri.

Vitaly Churkinm, Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, condemned the resolution on Syria. While speaking to reporters, he told that the resolution was biased and supported the armed opposition. It also undermined the peace efforts in the country.