UN Security Council extends South Sudan sanctions

UNITED NATIONS, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Thursday adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution to extend sanctions against South Sudan.

Nine members of the council voted in favor and the remaining six abstained, giving just enough votes for the draft to be adopted as Resolution 2418.

The adoption of a Security Council resolution needs nine affirmative votes on the condition that none of the five permanent members of the council -- Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States -- votes against it.

Resolution 2418 renews a travel ban and asset freeze against designated individuals and entities until July 15, 2018.

The resolution proposes that six individuals, including high-ranking government officials, be subject to the travel ban and asset freeze and threatened with an arms embargo unless the parties stop fighting and agree on a viable political agreement. Enditem