China, Russia Veto Resolution against Syria

United Nations, Jul 19.- China and Russia have vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution against the Syrian government, requesting a new mandate for unarmed military observers in the Arab country.

The two permanent UN Security Council members on Thursday blocked the resolution calling for new sanctions against Syrian government authorities and accusing the Assad administration of using excessive force against opposition fighters.

The vetoed resolution would have opened the way to possible military intervention in Syria, a move described by Russia as “direct support” for the armed groups operating in that country.

Syria has been the scene of continued violence, since demonstrations against the government of President Bashar al-Assad began on March 2011.

According to UN reports, some 9000 people have been killed in the turmoil, including thousands of security forces as result of numerous terror attacks.

The Assad government brands the opposition as terrorists, saying they’re part of an international agenda to topple his government. Western and Arab countries accuse Damascus of brutal crackdown on protesters and opposition armed forces. (Radio Cadena Agramonte).