All 13 other members of the council, including the U.S., France and Britain, voted in favor of the resolution, which backed an Arab peace plan aimed at stopping the violence in Syria. Russia and China blocked the resolution because of what they perceived to be a potential violation of Syria's sovereignty, which could allow for military intervention or regime change.

An anti-regime demonstration in the city of al-Qsair, south-west of
Homs where activists say Syrian forces have killed more than 200
people. Photograph: Alessio Romenzi/AFP/Getty

British Foreign Secretary Willaim Hague condemned the decision. "More than 2,000 people have died since Russia and China vetoed the last draft resolution in October 2011," he said after the vote. "How many more need to die before Russia and China allow the U.N. Security Council to act?

"Those opposing U.N. Security Council action will have to account to the Syrian people for their actions, which do nothing to help bring an end to the violence that is ravaging the country. The United Kingdom will continue to support the people of Syria and the Arab League to find an end to the violence and allow a Syrian-led political transition."

The draft resolution, tabled by Morocco, did not impose sanctions or authorize military action and contained nothing that warranted opposition, said Hague.