Middle East News

Britain says China and Russia stirring 'civil war' in Syria

Feb 6, 2012, 16:48 GMT

Palestinian demonstrators wave Syrian national flags during a protest against the regime of Syria\'s President Assad in front of the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem\'s Old City, Israel, 05 February 2012. EPA/ABIR SULTAN

London - Britain accused Russia and China on Monday of increasing the likelihood of a civil war in Syria by vetoing the latest UN resolution and backing the 'doomed and murdering regime' of President Bashar al-Assad.

Foreign Secretary William Hague told parliament that he believed Russia and China had made a 'grave error of judgement' with their 'utterly unacceptable' decision not to back the latest UN resolution.

Their actions constituted a betrayal of the Syrian people, let down the Arab League and increased the danger of civil war in Syria, Hague said.

He announced that Syria's ambassador had been summoned to the Foreign Office Monday to be informed of Britain's 'abhorrence' at the violence in the country, and that Britain's ambassador in Damascus had been recalled for consultation.

However, unlike the US, Britain would keep its embassy in Damascus open while further pressure would be exerted on the regime. The UN vote did 'not signal the end' of international efforts to end the bloodshed, said Hague. 'We shall make sure that Assad's comfort is short-lived.'

Hague made clear that Britain, like the US and its other western partners, was now investigating alternative ways of increasing the pressure on Syria through a 'wider coalition of nations,' closer cooperation with the Arab League and the possible creation of a 'friends of Syria group.'

He carefully avoided the term 'contact group,' which was used in the run-up to the invasion of Libya last year. Britain has repeatedly made clear that, while the pressure on Syria will be stepped up, it should not be seen as a prelude to military action.

Earlier Monday, the office of Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the diplomacy of China and Russia as 'incomprehensible and inexcusable.'

'Clearly there is a tragedy unfolding in that country. Russia and China are protecting a regime which is killing thousands of people. We find their position both incomprehensible and inexcusable,' a spokesman for Cameron said.

He indicated that the British government would now concentrate on 'alternative' action - such as European Union (EU) sanctions against Damascus.

It would also 'work with other countries, both internationally and in the region, to support the Arab League plan' on which the defeated resolution was largely based, added the spokesman.

Downing Street stressed that, in its view, Russia and China were now increasingly isolated in the Security Council, being the only members to reject the latest resolution.

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