The fighting continues in Syria one day after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution threatening new sanctions on the Syrian regime. Russia and China say they took action over demands for the inclusion of penalties under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, which would leave open the possibility of military intervention. The measure would also have extended the U.N. observer mission in Syria for 45 days. Shortly after the veto, a spokesperson said U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan is disappointed the measure failed to pass.

Ahmad Fawzi: “Well, the joint special envoy is disappointed, to say the least, that the Security Council could not unite and take the strong and concerted action that he had urged for and hoped for. And, as you know, the voice of the Security Council is much more powerful when its members act as one.”