UNITED NATIONS: France and Tunisia urged the UN Security Council on Tuesday to adopt a resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in major conflicts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic after weeks of contentious negotiations that have paralyzed the United Nations’ most powerful body.
France, one of five veto-wielding permanent council members, and Tunisia, one of 10 elected members, melded their rival resolutions in hopes of winning approval for the first council resolution since COVID-19 started circling the globe.
But diplomats say a vote has been held up primarily over a dispute between the United States and China on including a reference to the World Health Organization. US President Donald Trump suspended funding to WHO in early April, accusing the UN health agency of failing to stop the virus from spreading when it first surfaced in China, saying it “must be held accountable,” and accusing WHO of parroting Beijing.
China strongly supports WHO and is insisting that its role in calling for global action on COVID-19 be included in any resolution, diplomats say, while the US insists on a reference to “transparency” on COVID-19 and no mention of the WHO.
Ambassadors from the 15 council nations met privately Tuesday on the French-Tunisian draft resolution and France’s UN. Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere said later it was “a good discussion”. “France and Tunisia are working hard on it, things are moving forward.

KR Desk