Russia: UN Human Rights Council draft resolution on Syria hampers peace efforts

MOSCOW – Russia's foreign minister has sharply criticized a draft resolution on Syria to be considered by the United Nations' top human rights body.

Sergey Lavrov said that the document, which set to be considered Wednesday by the U.N. Human Rights Council, was "one-sided" and would complicate the search for a political settlement in Syria. The draft, submitted by Qatar, Turkey and the United States, condemns the use of heavy weapons against civilians and other rights abuses by the Syrian regime.

Lavrov told a briefing Wednesday that the motion would hamper efforts to organize a peace conference on Syria. He said he was surprised to see the U.S. among the authors of the resolution, saying it runs contrary to the U.S. pledge to help organize the peace conference.