New Zealand hopes of a breakthrough in Syria during its Presidency of the Security Council next month will be a tough ask if a debate in the Security Council on Monday was anything to go by. However, the Security Council could not even agree on a joint statement on the issue let alone any binding resolution. The three countries are known as the 'penholders' on the humanitarian situation in Syria, meaning they take a leading role. New Zealand will take its final turn as President of the Security Council in September. * Claire Trevett's trip to New York was funded by the Security Council Report and NZ's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 22, 2016 23:26 UTC