Russia and China veto Syria sanctions resolution at U.N. Security Council

It was the 3rd time that Russia and China have used their veto power to block U.N. Security Council resolutions designed to put pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. (Al Arabiya)

Russia and China on Thursday vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would impose sanctions against Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad if he does not end the use of heavy weapons.

It was the third time that Russia, a key ally of the Syrian government, and China have used their veto power to block U.N. Security Council resolutions designed to put pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and halt the violence in the 16-month conflict that has killed thousands of people.

There were 11 votes in favor, Russia and China against and two abstentions.

The resolution sought to “open the path to the pressure of sanctions and further to external military involvement in Syrian domestic affairs,” Russia’s U.N. ambassador Vitaly Churkin said after vetoing the resolution.

The United States said that the U.N. Security Council has “utterly failed” on Syria and that it will now work outside of the council to confront President Bashar al-Assad.

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