LONDON, February 6, 2012 (AFP)
LONDON, February 6, 2012 (AFP)
Britain is seeking new ways to put pressure on Syria through the UN and EU after Russia and China vetoed any action against the regime, Prime Minister David Cameron’s spokesman said Monday.
The spokesman said the actions of the two countries were “incomprehensible and inexcusable” after they stood in the way of a UN Security Council resolution to stop the Syrian regime’s crackdown on protesters.
“Clearly there is a tragedy unfolding in that country,” the spokesman said.
“Russia and China are protecting a regime that is killing thousands of people. We find their position incomprehensible and inexcusable.”
He said Britain hoped Russia and China would reconsider their position on taking action against Damascus, which was accused of further violence against its opponents on Monday, but that it was also exploring other avenues.
“I think it is our intention to return to the UN. There are alternative ways to apply pressure on the Syrian regime through the UN, for example through the General Assembly, and we are thinking about those options,” the spokesman said.
He added: “There will be further discussion in the EU on the issue of Syria. The (EU) Foreign Affairs Council meets at the end of this month, so we are considering whether there are further measures and further sanctions.”
The spokesman said Britain would also be “thinking now about how we work with other countries both internationally and in the region to support the Arab League plan.”
He played down suggestions of a repeat of the Libya Contact group, which brought together western and Arab nations in taking international action against Moamer Kadhafi’s regime last year.
“I am not sure it’s precisely the same kind of group but I think the objective here is to look at how we can bring countries together and apply pressure internationally on the Assad regime,” the spokesman said.
“Clearly the Arab League have set out their plan, there is pressure on the regime, we are thinking about how we can add to that.”
Foreign Secretary William Hague was due to give a statement to parliament later Monday on Syria.
At least 25 people were killed in Syria on Monday as regime troops attacked the flashpoint city of Homs and opened fire in Damascus, Aleppo and Zabadani, activists said.
The UN veto on Saturday came hours after the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) reported a “massacre” in Homs where more than 230 civilians were killed during an assault by regime forces.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday condemned the angry Western reaction as “bordering on hysteria.” Lavrov is travelling to Damascus on Tuesday.
