The US letter called the statement "counter-productive".United Nations (ANTARA News/AFP) - The United States on Tuesday blocked a UN Security Council statement on the Gaza conflict, saying it was "counter-productive" amid intense efforts to reach a ceasefire, diplomats told AFP.
Russia had said it could press for a full council resolution calling for hostilities to end if the Arab-proposed statement was blocked. But with Egyptian-led truce efforts gathering pace, it was unclear whether Russia would go ahead with the bid, which could lead to a US veto.
The United States sent a letter to other council missions just before a Tuesday deadline to approve the statement, saying it was "failing to address the root causes" of the showdown between Israel and Gaza`s Hamas rulers, according to UN diplomats.
The US letter called the statement "counter-productive" and added that it was "failing to contribute to diplomacy."
(U.H-AK)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
