Security Council to vote on South Sudan arms embargo

The UN Security Council will vote Friday on whether to impose an arms embargo and sanctions on South Sudan, but the measure is expected to fail amid divisions over how to pressure leaders to end the three-year war.

The council will meet at 09:30 to decide on the US-drafted resolution calling for a one-year ban on weapons sales and sanctions on rebel leader Riek Machar, the army chief and a minister.

The United States, backed by Britain and France, has argued that cutting off the arms flow was urgently needed following UN warnings of a risk of mass atrocities.

Diplomats however said the measure fell short of the nine votes needed for adoption in the 15-member council.