Russia Opposes New UN Draft On Syria, As Opposition Rejects Dialogue

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Russia says it's opposed to a new Western-backed draft UN Security Council resolution aimed at curbing the bloodshed in Syria.

Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said the draft is "unbalanced" because it doesn’t contain a call for a simultaneous halt to violence by both the government and rebels.

Russia, a longtime ally and arms supplier to the Syrian regime, and China have vetoed two previous Security Council draft resolutions on Syria.

Also on March 9, Burhan Ghalioun, head of the opposition Syrian National Council, told AP he would rule out any negotiations so long as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad continues the crackdown on the opposition.

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the joint UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, has urged a dialogue between the government and opposition.

Annan is scheduled to visit Syria on March 10.