Austria and Luxembourg circulated a draft statement expressing “grave concern” at the plight of the civilians and calling for Syria to allow “immediate, safe and unhindered access” to Homs for U.N. and other humanitarian workers.
Russia’s U.N. Mission said it proposed an alternative statement that called for access to Homs, as well as the predominantly Shiite government-controlled towns of Nubul and Zahra, which the opposition fighters are seeking to take.
U.N. diplomats said supporters of the original statement insisted on focusing on Homs, and Russia rejected a compromise.