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UN demands ‘full’ probe over downed Malaysia jet

The wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines jet carrying 298 people from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur a day after it crashed, near the town of Shaktarsk, in rebel-held east Ukraine, on July 18, 2014/AFP

The wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines jet carrying 298 people from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur a day after it crashed, near the town of Shaktarsk, in rebel-held east Ukraine, on July 18, 2014/AFP

UNITED NATIONS, July 18 – Members of the UN Security Council on Friday demanded a full, independent investigation into the apparent shooting down of a Malaysian jet over Ukraine that killed all 298 people on board.

Diplomats stood for a minute of silence in memory of the victims in Thursday’s disaster over a rebel-held eastern part of the country after agreeing on a unanimous call for a complete probe.

A joint statement called for “a full, thorough and independent international investigation… in accordance with international civil aviation guidelines and for appropriate accountability.”

It stressed the need for “immediate access” by investigators to the crash site and expressed deep condolences over the catastrophic loss of life on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. READ: Tears, shock as Netherlands mourns plane crash victims.

But an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council exposed the deep fault lines over the conflict in Ukraine, arguably the worst crisis in Western-Russian relations since the Cold War.

Britain and the United States said the jet was likely downed by a surface to air missile, and heaped blame on Russia for supporting and arming separatist groups.

US Ambassador Samantha Power said flight MH17 was likely downed by an SA-11 surface-to-air missile launched from a separatist-held location in eastern Ukraine.

Rebels have already been accused of bringing down a Ukrainian helicopter, cargo plane and a fighter jet.

“This tragedy only underscores the urgency and determination with which we insist that Russia immediately take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, support a sustainable ceasefire and following the path toward peace,” Power said.

“This war can be ended. Russia can end this war. Russia must end this war.”

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British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant also demanded that Russia cut off support to separatist rebels, saying violence unleashed by insurgents had reached “monstrous proportions.” READ: Passenger posted joke about MH17 disappearing as he boarded.

“It is clear where responsibility lies: with the senseless violence of armed separatists and with those who have supported, equipped and advised them,” said Lyall Grant.

He called on the Council to demand that armed groups lay down their arms and pursue their objectives through peaceful means, and for the flow of weapons and fighters to separatists to halt.

“In the light of yesterday’s tragedy, any other course of action would be unconscionable,” he said.

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