INTERNAL REVIEW

U.N. Blasted Over Syria

By its own top official.

You know the situation is bad when one of the United Nations’ top officials blasts his own organization over inaction regarding Syria. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, president of the U.N. General Assembly, told The Independent that the situation in the Middle East nation has deteriorated since Russia and China blocked two resolutions condemning Syria. “I am very upset because it sent the wrong message and people have suffered,” Nasser said. He said the system that permits any one of the five permanent members of the Security Council—the U.S., Britain, China, France, and Russia—to veto actions by the 10 non-permanent members is outdated and threatens world peace. Meanwhile, Syrian troops on Monday pursued further crackdowns in the besieged city of Homs and the southern city of Daraa.