The UN Security Council has failed to agree on a statement condemning Syria's deadly crackdown on peaceful protesters. Envoys attending a special open meeting on Syria in New York on Wednesday said Russia, China and Lebanon opposed the wording of a draft resolution distributed by European nations. France called for "strong measures" if Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, rejects appeals to end violence which has killed hundreds. The US said Assad must "change course now and heed the calls of his own people" for change.
Russia, after blocking a Security Council statement condemning the violence, however insisted that the Syrian crackdown did not amount to a threat to international peace and security, grounds that would justify international action.
"A real threat to regional security could come from outside interference," Alexander Pankin, the Russian deputy UN ambassador, told the council.
"Such approaches lead to a never ending circle of violence" and could set off civil war.
Bashar Ja'afari, the Syrian ambassador to the UN, welcomed the Security Council's inaction, saying his government was carrying out an investigation into the violence and that there was no need for a UN commission.
Al Jazeera's Kristin Saloomey reporting from the UN said any hope for Security Council action is dead for the moment.
"The council was not able to agree on even the most basic form of the statement calling for calm and calling for an investigation."
Our UN correspondent said Russia offered the strongest opposition to the move saying they were concerned about violence in Syria, but on both sides.
"In the end there were isolated statements of concern from various countries, but no unified action by the council."
China and India called for political dialogue and peaceful resolution of the crisis, with no mention of condemnation.
Nawaf Salam, the Lebanese envoy, said his country shared a special relationship with Syria, and that "the hearts and minds" of the Lebanese people are with the Syrians, and are supporting Assad's lifting of the state of emergency and reforms.
As the Syrian government intensifies its crackdown against pro-democracy protesters, the international community steps up its pressure on president Bashar al-Assad ( Photo on Left ) to stop the bloodletting.
In a session on Tuesday, members of the UN Security Council discussed the uptick in violence, but failed to issue a collective statement.
Still, Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, condemned the violence against "peaceful protesters" and called on the Syrian government to respect the people's rights to freedom of expression. "I condemn, utterly, the continuing violence against peaceful demonstrators, most particularly the use of tanks and live fire that have killed and injured hundreds of people," Ban said.
"It goes without saying that Syrian authorities have an obligation to protect civilians and respect international human rights. That includes the right to free expression and peaceful assembly."
Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the United Nations, has also criticised the Syrian government for what she called the "abhorrent use of violence to quell protests."
"Anti Democratic Assad is disingenuously blaming outsiders—at the same time seeking Iranian assistance to repress citizens," she said.
Mourners call for overthrow of Dictator Assad a day after at least 30 demonstrators were killed by security forces.
Thousands of Syrians have attended the funerals for protesters killed in the central city of Homs, chanting slogans demanding the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, the country's president.
Rights activists say security forces killed at least 25 pro-democracy protesters in Homs on Sunday night as anti-government demonstrations flared across the country, claiming up to 30 lives.
"From alleyway to alleyway, from house to house, we want to overthrow you, Bashar," the mourners chanted, according to a witness at the mass funeral held for eight of the dead on Monday.
Al Jazeera's correspondent Rula Amin, in Damascus, reported that the situation in Homs was very tense.
"People are complaining that many of the wounded are not going to the hospital, they fear that the security forces will pick them up from their hospital bed," she said.
"There is also a shortage of blood according to the people we have been talking to.
"To ensure the violence and chaos continues during a color revolution, provocateurs are often employed to kill protesters and security forces alike - as seen in Thailand on April 10, 2010, now with similar mystery gunmen turning up in Yemen and Syria."
Saudi Arabia's Abdullah meets Syria's Assad in Lebanon in July 2010. Does this mean that Syria is distancing itself from Iran or that Saudi Arabia is now less friendly with the USA and Israel?
Iran, Syria, Lebanon's Hezbollah, and Palestine's Hamas are usually seen as being on one side.
Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt, Jordan and United States are usually seen as being on the other side.
Saudi Arabia fears that the USA and Israel want eventually to treat Saudi Arabia as they are at present treating Pakistan.
"One of the largest arms deals in US history, involving the sale of weaponry worth some $60bn to Saudi Arabia, is likely to go through Congress without significant objections, according to people on Capitol Hill...
"People knowledgeable about the deal say a big factor smoothing its passage is Israel's relatively relaxed position, at a time when it and Saudi Arabia are both focusing on a possible threat from Iran... 'The lack of Israeli opposition is very telling,' said a congressional staffer..."
On 23 July 2010, World Net Daily reported that, according to "Arab security sources", Mossad boss Meir Dagan recently made a secret visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss Iran. (Arab countries working with Israel on Iranian nuke threat)
In 2009, it was reported that Dagan met Saudi spy chiefs to get assurances that Saudi Arabia would turn a blind eye to Israeli jets using Saudi airspace during any raid on Iran's nuclear plans. (Saudis give nod to Israeli raid on Iran - Times Online)
Reportedly, Israel would like to take over Southern Lebanon, in order to get Southern Lebanon's water supplies.
Maps of Greater Israel show Israel in control of parts of Syria.
And all of Gaza.
And parts of Iraq.
So, a war might be needed.
On 20 May 2010, the Financial times had an article entitled "Threat of war across region..." which refers to a possible Israeli attack on Lebanon and Syria.
Step 1
There is an attack on Iran.
Step 2
In Lebanon, Hizbollah is expected to side with Iran.
Step 3
Israel invades Lebanon.
Step 4
Israel claims that the supply lines for Hizbollah's missiles run through Syria.
Israel attacks Syria.
Step 5
Hamas in Gaza is said to have the support of Iran.
Gaza becomes involved in the conflict.
Step 6
Other areas which could become involved include: Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar...
In May 2010, it was reported that Iran and Syria have agreed to form a regional economic bloc which could include Turkey and Iraq as partners. (Iran, Syria for regional economic bloc)
Iran's First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi and Syrian President Bashar Assad have agreed to establish the bloc.
Iran and Syria have discussed the construction of a pipeline for exporting Iranian gas to Syria via Turkey.
They also considered possible links in transport, water supply and petrochemicals.
The Gaza war of 2008-09 is said to have persuaded Turkey to move away from Israel and towards Syria and Iran.
