Russia and China have vetoed a UN Security Council resolution to impose sanctions on Syria, creating frustration among the remaining states.
Special Envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan’s spokesman Ahmad Fawzi had said that Annan had expressed disappointment over the world powers, for failing to reach a consensus on the issue and added that "[Annan] believes that the voice of the Council is much more powerful when its members act as one."
French ambassador to the UN, Gerard Araud had said:
"It is now clear that Russia merely wants to win time for the Syrian regime to smash the opposition,"
The White House has criticised the “highly unfortunate” vetoes with spokesman Jay Carney saying:
"[China and Russia] are on the wrong side of the Syrian people, the wrong side of hope for peace and stability in the region,"
"It was a highly regrettable decision."
In a statement on Thursday morning, British foreign secretary William Hague had said:
“[The resolution] was not a Western proposition. It was what people in governments all over the world wanted to see, and there was nothing in it that would have authorised military action.”
“So the decision by Russia and China, in the view of the United Kingdom, to veto this resolution is inexcusable and indefensible. When it came to the time to turn agreements, which they have supported, into action to end the violence, they stood aside from that. They have turned their back on the people of Syria in their darkest hour.”
