Russia, China Veto UN Resolution on Syria

It called on Bashar al-Assad to step down
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 4, 2012 11:35 AM CST
Updated Feb 4, 2012 11:47 AM CST
Russia, China Veto UN Resolution on Syria
Protesters set on fire a placard in Turkish that reads "Assasin Assad, get out of Syria" at a protest outside the Syrian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday.   (AP Photo)

Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution backing calls for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, despite international outrage today over a devastating bombardment of the city of Homs by his regime's forces. Activists said more than 200 were killed in the bloodiest episode of the nearly 11-month uprising. The other 13 council members, including the US, France, and Britain, voted in favor of the resolution aimed at stopping the ongoing violence in Syria.

"The Assad regime must come to an end," President Barack Obama said in a statement today before the vote. But Russia demanded further changes be made, saying the draft did not make enough demands on the armed opposition in Syria, and calls for Assad to step aside could wreck chances for a negotiated solution to the country's upheaval. In the end, the resolution's proponents pushed ahead with a vote, challenging Moscow to veto or back down. After the veto, US Ambassador Susan Rice said her country was "disgusted" by the vote. The UN says more than 5,400 people have been killed over almost 11 months in a Syrian government crackdown on civilian protests. (More Syria stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X