Europe seeks Russian support against Syria - The Mainichi Daily News

Europe seeks Russian support against Syria - The Mainichi Daily News
Clipped from article:
Europe seeks Russian support against Syria

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- European nations dropped an explicit threat of sanctions against the Syrian regime of President Bashar Assad to try to win Russian support for what would be the first U.N. resolution condemning his military crackdown on civilian protesters.

The Europeans also appealed to all sides in Syria "to reject violence and extremism."

The new European draft resolution, obtained Friday by The Associated Press, still threatens to consider imposing "targeted measures" -- which can include sanctions -- against Syria if it doesn't comply with demands, including an immediate halt to violence and respect for human rights.

Pro-Syrian regime protesters shout slogans and hold up an Arabic placard that reads:
Pro-Syrian regime protesters shout slogans and hold up an Arabic placard that reads:"Listen Sarkozy you checked the Syrian people's DNA and you found cells of honor that you don't have," as they protest in front the EU mission office, in Damascus, Syria, on Thursday Sept. 29, 2011. Supporters of President Bashar Assad pelted the U.S. ambassador to Syria with eggs and tomatoes Thursday as he entered an office for a meeting with a leading opposition figure and then tried to storm the building in the capital Damascus, the opposition activist said. Washington and the European Union have imposed sanctions on some Syrian officials, including Assad, because of Assad's crackdown that has left some 2,700 people dead, according to the United Nations. (AP Photo/Bassem Tellawi)

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