European countries failed in their bid for imposing new UN sanctions on Syria. The EU draft, presented by the UK, France, Germany and Portugal and backed by the US, threatened further sanctions if the repression of anti-regime protests continues.
Now, the proposal will be amended in order to win the support of China and Russia, which oppose sanctions.
The draft resolution "demands an immediate end to all violence", according to copies obtained by news agencies. It says the 15-nation Security Council "expresses its determination, in the event that Syria has not complied with this resolution, to adopt targeted measures, including sanctions".
But Russia and China have threatened to veto any sanctions resolution against Syria. Others nations which oppose sanctions include India, South Africa, and Brazil.
On the ground, Syrian forces stormed the central town of Rastan after besieging it for two days, activists said.
