White House calls on UN to authorise more crossings into Syria

The White House on Monday said that a convoy of 10 trucks has crossed into Syria to provide aid for earthquake victims.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the US is prepared to provide any and all assistance to earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, and further called on the UN Security Council to approve additional crossings into Syria.

"It's critical for the Security Council to authorise two additional crossings to deliver life-saving assistance. We cannot delay any longer," Jean-Pierre said.

The Security Council met behind closed doors on Monday to discuss the issue of border crossings into Syria.

On the 15-member Security Council, Brazil and Switzerland have taken the lead on negotiating any action related to the Syria humanitarian aid access issue. However, as of Sunday, diplomats said no draft resolution has yet been circulated to authorise more crossings.

A resolution would need nine votes in favor and no vetoes by Russia, China, the US, Britain or France to pass. Syrian ally Russia has said that the existing council mandate for a single border crossing was sufficient.