Draft resolution on Middle East under discussion in Security Council - President

After a daylong debate on the situation in the Middle East, in which it heard the views of more than 40 countries, the members of the Security Council held informal talks on a resolution proposed by Syria with an eye towards a vote on the text tomorrow, the President of the 15-nation body said today.

Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry of the United Kingdom told reporters, after the closed-door talks, that Syria was keen to put its text to an early vote.

"During our consultations, Council members expressed their concern to send a strong, united message to the parties involved," he noted, and as a result of those talks, "the Syrian delegation has agreed to consult with others and will consider proposed amendments to the text before coming back to the Council to offer an amended version."

The Council agreed that once the Syrians have presented an amended text, Ambassador Jones Parry added, "the Syrian delegation and the Presidency will consult on the timing of a vote, leaving open the possibility of an early vote tomorrow on that amended resolution."