The United States withdrew on Wednesday its new United Nations draft resolution seeking renewal of the immunity of its peacekeeping personnel from prosecution of the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to lack of support in the Security Council, US Deputy Ambassador James Cunningham said.

Cunningham made the announcement after the new draft,circulated Tuesday night, failed to win enough support at a closed-door council session.

"The United States has decided not to proceed further with consideration and action on the draft at this time in order to avoid a prolonged and divisive debate," he said.Under the new draft, Washington promised to seek the renewal of such immunity for only one more year. In its previous text, the immunity could be renewed "as long as may be necessary."Many participants in the council meeting, including Chilean Ambassador Heraldo Munoz, cited UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's earlier sharp criticism as the last straw that broke the camel��s back.

Annan slammed Washington last Thursday for pressing for a new ICC exemption for its military and civilian personnel serving with UN-authorized peacekeeping forces, such as those in Iraq. He warned that meeting the US demand would discredit the United Nations and the Security Council that stands for the rule of law. Chinese UN Ambassador Wang Guangya said China found itself difficult to support the draft due to worldwide repercussions caused by prisoner abuses by the US military in Iraq.He said China, which voted for a similar council resolution last year, would be forced to abstain under such circumstances.

Source: Xinhua