CHIN
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CHINA and Russia have helped to block an initiative by the US and its European allies for the United Nations Security Council to condemn the Syrian government's attacks on peaceful protesters.
The Security Council, which last week failed to take a position on the violence in Yemen, could not agree on Wednesday to a draft statement circulated by Britain, France, Germany and Portugal. Consent by all 15 members of the UN's principal policymaking panel was needed to take a position.
The situation ''does not present a threat to international peace and security'', said Russia's deputy ambassador, Alexander Pankin, referring to the standard for Security Council involvement. ''The violence does not all originate on one side.''
Advertisement: Story continues below China's ambassador, Li Baodong, said that not addressing the situation ''appropriately'' would jeopardise peace and stability in other regions and ''have a major active impact on the recovery of the world economy''.
In the absence of UN action, several European Union governments summoned Syrian ambassadors for a dressing down on Wednesday, pushed into action by the rising death toll as well as criticisms that the international community has dragged its feet over Syria while focusing on Libya.
Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain told the ambassadors they condemned the violence and that Bashar al-Assad must end the crackdown.
The British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, told BBC Radio that there was ''a major diplomatic effort going on'' to make sure Dr Assad's regime changed course. ''President Assad has made two major speeches on reform in Syria,'' he said. ''It is not too late for him to say he is really going to do these reforms, and additional reforms.''
Separately, the UN Human Rights Council has agreed to a US request for a special session on Friday about Syria.
The diplomatic pressure has had no immediate impact on the official line, with Dr Assad blaming the unrest on a ''foreign conspiracy'' and armed thugs.
There are, however, signs that a fragmented opposition movement is beginning to coalesce. Yesterday a new umbrella opposition alliance, the Syrian National Initiative for Change, called on the army to protect people, boosted by reports of defections.
The latest Syrian crackdown on demonstrations, mostly in the southern region of Daraa over the past five days, has brought the nationwide death toll since mid-March to more than 450, said Ammar Qurabi, the head of Syria's National Organisation for Human Rights.
Read more: China and Russia halt UN moves on Syria
The Security Council, which last week failed to take a position on the violence in Yemen, could not agree on Wednesday to a draft statement circulated by Britain, France, Germany and Portugal. Consent by all 15 members of the UN's principal policymaking panel was needed to take a position.
The situation ''does not present a threat to international peace and security'', said Russia's deputy ambassador, Alexander Pankin, referring to the standard for Security Council involvement. ''The violence does not all originate on one side.''
Advertisement: Story continues below China's ambassador, Li Baodong, said that not addressing the situation ''appropriately'' would jeopardise peace and stability in other regions and ''have a major active impact on the recovery of the world economy''.
In the absence of UN action, several European Union governments summoned Syrian ambassadors for a dressing down on Wednesday, pushed into action by the rising death toll as well as criticisms that the international community has dragged its feet over Syria while focusing on Libya.
Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain told the ambassadors they condemned the violence and that Bashar al-Assad must end the crackdown.
The British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, told BBC Radio that there was ''a major diplomatic effort going on'' to make sure Dr Assad's regime changed course. ''President Assad has made two major speeches on reform in Syria,'' he said. ''It is not too late for him to say he is really going to do these reforms, and additional reforms.''
Separately, the UN Human Rights Council has agreed to a US request for a special session on Friday about Syria.
The diplomatic pressure has had no immediate impact on the official line, with Dr Assad blaming the unrest on a ''foreign conspiracy'' and armed thugs.
There are, however, signs that a fragmented opposition movement is beginning to coalesce. Yesterday a new umbrella opposition alliance, the Syrian National Initiative for Change, called on the army to protect people, boosted by reports of defections.
The latest Syrian crackdown on demonstrations, mostly in the southern region of Daraa over the past five days, has brought the nationwide death toll since mid-March to more than 450, said Ammar Qurabi, the head of Syria's National Organisation for Human Rights.
Read more: China and Russia halt UN moves on Syria
