Date: Jul 6, 2018 Source: The Daily Star UN fails to agree on response to fighting in southwest Syria Associated Press UNITED NATIONS: The U.N. Security Council has failed to agree on any response to the escalating fighting and deteriorating situation in southwest Syria during emergency closed-door consultations. Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, whose country is taking part in air strikes against rebel-held areas in the southwest, told reporters after Thursday's session that there was no press statement "because they are focusing on cessation of hostilities and we are focusing on fighting terrorists." He said Russia agrees with other council members on the need for humanitarian access, but questioned how many civilians are in need of assistance. Sweden's U.N. Ambassador Olof Skoog had called the emergency consultations with Kuwait and said he expects a follow-up and possibly an open meeting focused on implementing a February resolution calling for a cease-fire and humanitarian access.