Syrian government forces reasserted control of Damascus suburbs yesterday after beating back rebels, ahead of a push at the UN for a resolution calling for President Bashar al-Assad to give up powers.

Western and Arab diplomats have launched a major offensive at the UN in the hope of overcoming Russia’s opposition to a draft resolution demanding that Syrian President Bashar Assad relinquish power.

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton yesterday demanded UN action to stop spiralling violence in Syria as she prepared to join other top diplomats in pressing a reluctant Russia.

Russia has attacked the United States for negotiating a “secretive” post-war Iraq plan.

France, Germany, Russia and China have made clear that they will not be rushed by Washington’s timetable for war on Iraq.

US SECRETARY OF STATE Colin Powell has warned that the Bush administration would not be tied to the will of the UN, as the US was taken to task for its draft UN resolution on Iraq, with a majority of Security Council members opposing language which could authorise Washington to launch a war in Baghdad.