U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley castigated the U.N. on Wednesday for not condemning the Syrian government for reportedly using chemical weapons on its own people, suggesting Washington is open to potentially taking action against Syria.
"When the U.N. consistently fails in its duty to act collectively, there are times in the life of states that we are compelled to take our own action," Haley said, adding that if the U.N. does not take action, "we may."
Haley's remarks came while the council was considering a resolution to condemn the attack by the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in which dozens of people were killed, including children.
Haley's comments were the most direct threat of unilateral action by the United States delegation at the U.N., CNN reported.
Her comments are the most direct threat of unilateral action by the U.S. delegation at the U.N. to solve the Syria crisis. The remarks are especially notable as the Trump administration has struck a more lenient tone on the regime of Assad, breaking with the Obama administration in demanding he abdicate power.
Representatives from the U.S., United Kingdom, and France have circulated a draft resolution demanding that the Syrian government provide flight logs from Tuesday, the day of the attack, which killed dozens, including many children. The draft also calls for meetings with Syrian generals or other officers.
The resolution explicitly condemns the use of chemical weapons within Syria and states that their use represents a threat to international peace and security.
In addition to the U.N., Haley also slammed Russia, saying it "cannot escape responsibility" for helping Assad evade accountability for his regime's actions.
"Just a few weeks ago, this council attempted to hold Assad accountable for suffocating his own people to death with toxic chemicals," Haley said. "Russia stood in the way of this accountability. They made an unconscionable choice. They chose to close their eyes to the barbarity. They defied the conscious of the world."
Haley went on to say that Russia cannot escape accountability for this.
"Time and time again Russia uses the same false narrative to deflect attention from their allies in Damascus. Time and time again, without any factual basis, Russia attempts to place blame on others," she said.
"The truth is that Assad, Russia, and Iran have no interest in peace," Haley concluded.