UNITED NATIONS: Russia and China vetoed on Thursday a UN Security Council resolution referring the Syrian crisis to the International Criminal Court for investigation of possible war crimes.

Speaking after the vote, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said his country shared the ‘emotions’ of the countries who supported the measure but questioned whether France was using the resolution as a pretext for armed intervention.

This is the fourth time the two countries have used their veto power as permanent council members to bring about charges against Syrian government of Bashar Al Asaad. The vote was 13 in favour two (veto) against.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson pleaded with the 15-member council to find unity and “put an end to this long nightmare”.

US Ambassador Samantha Power said: “Sadly, because of the decision of the Russian Federation to back the Syrian regime no matter what it does, the Syrian people will not see justice”.

“There should be accountability for those members of the council who prevented accountability”.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2014