Russia, China veto resolution on Syria

Nueva York- Posted by: Prensa Latina Posted date: 04 February 2012 In: International, North America, Politics

Russia and China vetoed on Saturday a draft resolution on the crisis in Syria led by the Western powers who advocate regime change in that country. The resolution was approved by the other 13 members of the body (United States, France, Britain, Germany, Portugal, India, Colombia, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan, South Africa, Togo and Azerbaijan).

The resolutions of the Security Council must be approved by the affirmative vote of nine of its 15 members with no veto by the five permanent members: the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China.

The document, submitted to a vote after a week of intense Western pressure, supports an Arab League initiative calling for the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Shortly before the special meeting of the Security Council, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asked for the removal from the draft resolution of any wording that set a precondition for dialogue between the conflicting parties in Syria.