LEAD: Russia, China veto UN resolution on peace for Syria

Feb 4, 2012, 17:24 GMT

New York - Russia and China on Saturday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Syria, the draft of which had the backing of most Arab and European countries.

Russia, which is a major arms suppliers to Syria, had already on Friday rejected a revised draft resolution, which had been weakened to meet Moscow's demands, including dropping a call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down.

The 13 other council members voted in favour of the resolution, which was aimed at stopping the violence in Syria. According to the UN, more than 5,400 people have died in the regime's crackdown on protesters since mid-March.

On Friday, the draft had the support of 17 countries, including eight of the 15 council members - Morocco, France, Britain, the United States, Germany, Portugal, Togo and Colombia.

The other sponsors were Libya, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Turkey.

Morocco had called for Saturday's special session, which started more than an hour-and-a-half late as members haggled over the terms of the resolution.

The watered-down text demanded that the Security Council 'fully support' the Arab League's initiatives, which call for a transitional government in Syria. Diplomats said Russia opposed such language.

The revised text maintained strong condemnation of the 'continued widespread gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities.' It cited use of military force against civilians, arbitrary executions and killings and persecution of protesters and media members.

It called for 'an inclusive Syrian-led political process conducted in an environment free from violence, fear, intimidation and extremism, and aimed at effectively addressing the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people.'

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