Russia and China Block U.N. Resolution on Syria

After months of watering down a resolution to put an immediate halt to military violence against opponents of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, Russia and China finally put an end to it with a double veto Tuesday night. Although there were no direct references to sanctions, BBC News says the two vetoing countries did so because there was no specific provision that prohibited outside military involvement.

Of the 15 countries represented in the United Nations, 9 voted in favor of the resolution, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, France, Gabon, Germany, Nigeria, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States; while four countries, India, South Africa, Brazil, and Lebanon, abstained.  Although the majority voted in favor, the resolution still did not pass because two of the five permanent powers vetoed the resolution.

With this veto, outside military support is becoming increasingly less likely in Syria, which leaves Turkey in a very isolated position in its attempt to monitor the situation, according to CNN.  

With an estimated 2,700 deaths as a result of the Syrian military cracking down on the government opposition, neighboring country Turkey believes something must be done and may now look to Arabian countries for support.

American ambassador Susan Rice was furious with the final decision, and the New York Times says she accused opposing nations of the resolution of opposing it in their own self-interest of continuing to sell arms to them. 

"Today the courageous people of Syria can now see who on this council supports their yearning for liberty and universal human rights and who does not," she said during a speech in the Council chamber.

Rice and other U.S. diplomats later walked out of the meeting in protest as Syrian Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari accused the U.S. of using their veto to protect Israel in the past, which he said was essentially "partaking in genocide," according to USA Today.

It is unlikely that the issue will come back to the United Nations unless the situation gets drastically worse in Syria.  According to CNN, more deaths have already been reported after another flare up of violence on Tuesday.

Photos by Syria-Frames-Of-Freedom and james.gordon6108.