The US has vowed to put “immense pressure” on Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad to step down after Russia and China vetoed a resolution aimed at ending the fighting in the country.
“Faced with a neutered Security Council, we have to redouble our efforts outside of the United Nations with those allies and partners who support the Syrian people’s right to have a better future,” said US secretary of state Hillary Clinton in Bulgaria, adding: “Assad must go.”
The UN Security Council voted 13-2 on Saturday to approve a resolution backing an Arab League plan calling on President Assad to begin a transfer of power in Syria. Russia and China used their vetoes to block the resolution.