THE INDEPENDENT: Britain today condemned the decision of Russia and China to veto a United Nations' resolution to step up sanctions against Syrian dictator Bashar Assad.
The UK's ambassador to the UN, Sir Mark Lyall Grant said he was "appalled" at the decision, which he predicted would lead to "further bloodshed and the likelihood of a descent into all-out civil war".
And he dismissed as "irrational" the arguments of Moscow and Beijing that the Western-backed resolution could act as a precursor to military action.
The vetoes at the UN in New York came just hours after Prime Minister David Cameron issued a personal plea to Russian president Vladimir Putin to help the Security Council send "clear and tough messages about sanctions" to the Assad regime.
Speaking during a visit to Afghanistan, Mr Cameron warned that Syria was facing civil war unless Mr Assad stepped down.
"I have a very clear message for president Assad. It is time for him to go," said the Prime Minister.
"It is time for transition in the regime. If there isn't transition it's quite clear there's going to be civil war."
But today's vetoes by Russia and China are likely to have the effect of shoring up Assad and allowing him to remain in power for longer. » | Andrew Woodcock | Thursday, July 19, 2012
