US disappointed by Russia's, China's decision to veto resolution on Syria

She also expressed hope that a visit to Moscow by a delegation of the Syrian opposition would help the Russian authorities get a better grasp of the situation.

The voting on the draft resolution took place on October 4. In addition to its authors - France, Germany, Portugal, and Britain - five more countries - the United States, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Gabon, Nigeria, and Colombia -- voted for it. Brazil, India, South Africa, and Lebanon abstained.

For the resolution to be passed, it needs the support of at least 9 out of 15 Security Council members, provided that none of the permanent members exercises its right to veto.

The draft resolution condemned serious and systematic human rights violations by the Syrian authorities and although it did not contain direct reference to sanctions, it said the U.N. Security Council was determined to review Syria's compliance with the document within 30 days and consider targeted measures against it, if it fails to do so.

Russia continues to object to possible U.N. sanctions against Syria, a source in the presidential press service said earlier.

The Kremlin stressed that Russia's position has not changed. "We urge the Syrian leadership to consistently carry out the reforms it has declared," the source said.

"We remain critical about possible sanctions against Syria," he said, adding that the United States and the European Union have already imposed sanctions against that country.

"The main question is to implement consistently the reforms [President Bashar] by al-Asad, stop violence and prevent casualties," the source said.

President Dmitry Medvedev sent a message to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier, urging the authorities and the opposition to stop violence and start declared reforms in the country.

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