Clinton demands UN action on Syria

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.

As a Syrian government offensive was blamed for the deaths of dozens more civilians, Clinton said she would join the foreign ministers of France and Britain and the Arab League chief at the UN today.

“The US condemns in the strongest possible terms the escalation of the Syrian regime’s violent and brutal attacks on its own people,” Clinton said in a statement.

“The Security Council must act and make clear to the Syrian regime that the world community views its actions as a threat to peace and security. The violence must end, so that a new period of democratic transition can begin,” she said.

Clinton said the Security Council session aimed to send a message from the international community to the Syrian people: “We stand with you.”

But Russia, the main diplomatic supporter and arms supplier to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said that it would use its veto power against an Arab League-supported ceasefire.

Russian deputy foreign minister Gennady Gatilov said that the latest draft resolution, introduced by Morocco, was little different to a Western-backed one which Russia and China vetoed in October.

“The draft has statements in it calling on the member states to stop arms deliveries to Syria,” he told Interfax news agency.

“But there is no clear line between arms contraband that some countries engage in to support extremist forces in Syria, and the legal military-technical ties with this country,” he said.

Russia has called for Assad’s regime and the opposition to hold “informal contacts” in Moscow without any preconditions.

Asked about Russia’s call for talks, White House spokesman Jay Carney said the US supported a political solution but was “intensely discussing” with Russia the “real deterioration on the ground” in Syria.

The opposition has flatly rejected Russia’s proposal for dialogue. The resolution calls for a halt to violence and Assad handing over power to his deputy ahead of negotiations.

Before heading to New York, Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi urged Russia and China to change their position.

In Paris, French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero urged action against “the Syrian regime’s savage repression.”

Britain’s Foreign Office called for the Security Council to agree to a resolution this week, saying that “the killing must stop.”

However, it remains unclear if and when the UN would move for a vote on the draft resolution.

Human rights groups say that more than 5,400 people have died in Syria as Assad tries to crush uprisings.