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The UN Security Council will vote on a draft resolution proposed by Bahrain on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, even as permanent members China and Russia voiced opposition to earlier versions of the text that would have allowed use of force by countries.
The draft Security Council resolution affirms that the Strait of Hormuz is open for all transit passage.
No state has the right to close or control it.
It authorises States to take “exclusively defensive measures” to secure transit passage and deter any acts to impede international navigation through the Strait.
It also provides a clear legal basis for all States to mobilise and support safe passage while following international law and international humanitarian law.
The draft resolution says that countries using this authorisation must notify and report to the UN, ensuring transparency and adherence to international law.
It creates a monitoring mechanism with monthly reporting by the UN Secretary-General so the UN Security Council can take further action based on new developments, the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the UN said.
Bahrain, supported by the GCC and Jordan, has proposed the Security Council resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, which will be put up for a vote in the 15-nation Security Council on Saturday.
Bahrain is currently the President of the Council for the month of April.
It is learnt that an initial version of the draft resolution had language that would have allowed countries “to use all necessary means” in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to ensure passage in the crucial chokepoint.
