A UN Security Council resolution condemning Syria’s government for the violence it is committing against anti-regime protestors has been vetoed by Russia and China.
The resolution called for President Bashar al-Assad to step down and a "Syrian-led political transition to a democratic, plural political system", a call first made by the Arab League.
The resolution had already been watered-down, in anticipation of a Russian veto. There are no calls for sanctions and no military action would have been authorised.
The other 13 members of the Security Council, including India and South Africa, supported the resolution.
Members of the Security Council reacted with outrage to the veto.
"The United States is disgusted that a couple of members of this council continue to prevent us from fulfilling our sole purpose here -- addressing an ever-deepening crisis in Syria and a growing threat to regional peace and security. ... This intransigence is even more shameful when you consider that at least one of these members continues to deliver weapons to (Syrian President Bashar al-Assad)." said US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice.
William Hague, the foreign secretary, also condemned the veto.
"More than 2,000 people have died since Russia and China vetoed the last draft resolution in October 2011. How many more need to die before Russia and China allow the UN security council to act?
"Those opposing UN security council action will have to account to the Syrian people for their actions, which do nothing to help bring an end to the violence that is ravaging the country. The United Kingdom will continue to support the people of Syria and the Arab League to find an end to the violence and allow a Syrian-led political transition."
"The Syrian regime's actions display President Assad's cold-blooded cynicism in the face of mounting international pressure for the UN security council to do its utmost to end the bloodshed."
"The time is long past for the international community, particularly those that have so far sheltered the Assad regime, to intensify the pressure to end over 10 months of violence."
However, Russia defended its decision to veto the resolution, criticising it for making too few demands of opposition armed groups.
Russia's Ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin said
"Some influential members of the international community unfortunately...have been undermining the opportunity for political settlement, calling for a regime change, pushing the oppositionists to power,"
Last night the Syrian military escalated attacks on the city of Homs, in one of the bloodiest nights since protests started in March last year.
Over 200 people are thought to have been killed in Homs alone, with reports of indiscriminate mortar attacks by the military.
Syrian embassies in various Western cities, including London and Washington, saw protests by Syrian activists.
The embassies in Cairo and Berlin were stormed by dozens of demonstrators chanting slogans against Assad’s regime.
