1st LD: 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.

It renews until Aug. 14, 2018, the mandate of the Panel of Experts, who assists the work of the sanctions committee.

The resolution decides that six individuals -- high-ranking government officials and prominent rebel leaders -- should be subject to the travel ban and asset freeze unless the parties stop fighting and agree on a viable political agreement. The resolution also threatens with an arms embargo.

The six individuals are: Koang Rambang Chol, a high-ranking opposition military official; Kuol Manyang Juuk, South Sudan's defense minister; Malek Reuben Riak Rengu, the former deputy chief of staff of South Sudan's army; Martin Elia Lomuro, South Sudan's cabinet affairs minister; Michael Makuei Lueth, South Sudan's information minister; Paul Malong Awan, former chief of staff of South Sudan's army who rebelled last year. Enditem