Russia and China blocked a U.N. resolution condemning the bloodshed in Syria and calling for Bashar al-Assad to step down as president. The vote came on the heels of the slaughter of more than 200 people in the city of Homs by government forces and a demand from President Obama for Assad to resign.

Syria has been a key Russian ally since the time of the Soviet Union. –ARK

The Guardian:

Russia and China have vetoed a key UN resolution on Syria calling for the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad following the massacre of more than 200 people by security forces in the city of Homs.

The other 13 council members, including the US, France and Britain, voted in favor of the resolution aimed at stopping the ongoing violence.

Reacting to the vote, France’s ambasador to the UN, Gerard Araud, said: “It is a sad day for the council. It is a sad day for Syria … History has compounded our shame.”

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