Russia today called the latest draft of a UN Security Council resolution condemning the Syrian crackdown "unacceptable."
European nations were planning to put the draft up for a vote later today, but Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said that despite last-minute changes that removed a direct reference to sanctions, the proposed text was "clearly unacceptable."
Britain, France, Germany, and Portugal had dropped the word "sanctions" from their draft text -- which instead talks of "targeted measures" -- in a bid to win approval in the Security Council.
Gatilov did not say whether Russia would veto the draft resolution.
Western governments and human rights groups have become increasingly critical of the Security Council's failure to adopt any resolution on Syria, despite a bloody crackdown on antigovernment protests.
More than 2,700 people have died in the crackdown since protests against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad began in March.
Russia had previously said it would veto any resolution that threatens sanctions against the Syrian regime.
compiled from agency reports
European nations were planning to put the draft up for a vote later today, but Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said that despite last-minute changes that removed a direct reference to sanctions, the proposed text was "clearly unacceptable."
Britain, France, Germany, and Portugal had dropped the word "sanctions" from their draft text -- which instead talks of "targeted measures" -- in a bid to win approval in the Security Council.
Gatilov did not say whether Russia would veto the draft resolution.
Western governments and human rights groups have become increasingly critical of the Security Council's failure to adopt any resolution on Syria, despite a bloody crackdown on antigovernment protests.
More than 2,700 people have died in the crackdown since protests against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad began in March.
Russia had previously said it would veto any resolution that threatens sanctions against the Syrian regime.
compiled from agency reports