France and Britain are seeking a UN resolution condemning the Syrian government's crackdown on protesters, according to media reports.
France, Britain, Germany and Portugal have prepared a draft resolution for the UN Security Council condemning violent attempts by Syrian President Bashar Assad to suppress protesters in the country and calling for Syrian cities to be opened to humanitarian organizations.
The draft resolution that Britain is expected to submit later today does not propose any military action against Damascus.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said the resolution would condemn the repression and demand “accountability and humanitarian action." "If anyone votes against that resolution or tries to veto it, that should be on their conscience," he said.
Britain and France are trying to build up support among the members of UN Security Council for a resolution, in order to head off a possible veto from Russia and China.
"It is inconceivable that the United Nations remains silent on the matter. We are working with our UK friends to have as large a majority as possible on the Security Council" French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said after a council meeting.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday the ongoing conflicts in Syria and other countries in the region should be resolved by political means without UN Security Council involvement.
Human rights activists in Syria say at least 1,000 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and government troops which have been ongoing since mid-March. Official reports say 120 soldiers and policemen have been killed by protesters.
MOSCOW, June 8 (RIA Novosti)
