Rudd slams China, Russia over Syria veto

Rudd slams China, Russia over Syria veto

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Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has taken aim at China and Russia for using their United Nations veto powers to block a resolution against the Syrian regime.

China and Russia vetoed the UN Security Council resolution demanding the Syrian government end its deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Nine of the council's 15 members voted in favour of the resolution drafted by European nations amid intense diplomatic negotiations.

Mr Rudd on Wednesday said Australia deeply regretted the obstruction.

"The veto goes against the international community's intensifying pressure on Damascus to stop its ongoing brutality and respond to the Syrian people's demands for their legitimate freedoms," he said in a statement.

"China and Russia must now bear a particular responsibility for persuading Syria to end the violence and implement meaningful change."

An estimated 2700 Syrians have been killed since civil unrest broke out there in March. [ read more at link ]