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Russia 'to block' Syria vote at UN Security Council Russia 'to block' Syria vote at UN Security Council
(40 minutes later)
Russia has said it will block a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for a transfer of power in Syria because it "leaves open the possibility of intervention" in Syria's affairs.Russia has said it will block a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for a transfer of power in Syria because it "leaves open the possibility of intervention" in Syria's affairs.
The US, the UK and France are lobbying on behalf of the Arab League's draft text, which calls for President Bashar al-Assad to hand power to a deputy.The US, the UK and France are lobbying on behalf of the Arab League's draft text, which calls for President Bashar al-Assad to hand power to a deputy.
The White House said Mr Assad had lost control of Syria, adding "he will go".The White House said Mr Assad had lost control of Syria, adding "he will go".
But Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister said the text was "not balanced".But Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister said the text was "not balanced".
Meanwhile, fighting in Syria continued as government troops on Monday bombarded the restive city of Homs. Meanwhile, fighting in Syria continued as government troops bombarded the central city of Homs. Heavy machine gun fire was reported in the restive Bab Amr district.
At least 225 tank shells were fired at the suburbs of Damascus, activists said.
The Local Co-ordination Committees, a network of anti-government groups, said 58 people were killed on Monday.
Their claims could not be independently verified, as the the BBC other international media are severely restricted inside Syria.
Earlier, reports said the Syrian army had regained control of some Damascus suburbs recently held by rebel forces.Earlier, reports said the Syrian army had regained control of some Damascus suburbs recently held by rebel forces.
Qatari backingQatari backing
According to some estimates, 10% of Russia's global arms sales go to Syria, with current contracts estimated to be worth $1.5bn (£950m).According to some estimates, 10% of Russia's global arms sales go to Syria, with current contracts estimated to be worth $1.5bn (£950m).
Besides ammunition, recent sales have included military training aircraft, air defence systems and anti-tank weapons.Besides ammunition, recent sales have included military training aircraft, air defence systems and anti-tank weapons.
The current Syrian government also provides something else Moscow craves - the prestige of a navy base at the port of Tartus which is Russia's last base beyond the borders of the former Soviet Union.The current Syrian government also provides something else Moscow craves - the prestige of a navy base at the port of Tartus which is Russia's last base beyond the borders of the former Soviet Union.
While the Russian government says that continuing to sell weapons to Syria is not in contravention of any arms embargo and is simply the fulfilment of existing contracts, Western and some Arab countries are becoming increasingly angry.While the Russian government says that continuing to sell weapons to Syria is not in contravention of any arms embargo and is simply the fulfilment of existing contracts, Western and some Arab countries are becoming increasingly angry.
Moscow, which has maintained its ties to Damascus, has so far resisted moves for a UN resolution condemning the violence in Syria. Russia has a naval base in the country and supplies arms to Syria.Moscow, which has maintained its ties to Damascus, has so far resisted moves for a UN resolution condemning the violence in Syria. Russia has a naval base in the country and supplies arms to Syria.
"The current Western draft... certainly cannot be supported by us," Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told the Interfax news agency."The current Western draft... certainly cannot be supported by us," Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told the Interfax news agency.
Mr Gatilov said the draft was "not balanced" and "leaves open the possibility of intervention in Syrian affairs".Mr Gatilov said the draft was "not balanced" and "leaves open the possibility of intervention in Syrian affairs".
The White House said it supported a political solution to end the violence in Syria. However, spokesman Jay Carney said President Assad had lost control of his country and his regime would fall.The White House said it supported a political solution to end the violence in Syria. However, spokesman Jay Carney said President Assad had lost control of his country and his regime would fall.
France says 10 of the 15 countries on the Security Council now support the Arab League text. A minimum of nine council members must lend their backing in order for a resolution to be put to a vote.France says 10 of the 15 countries on the Security Council now support the Arab League text. A minimum of nine council members must lend their backing in order for a resolution to be put to a vote.
However, Russia - as one of the five permanent council members - can veto any proposed resolution.However, Russia - as one of the five permanent council members - can veto any proposed resolution.
The BBC's Barbara Plett, at the UN, says Russia views the resolution as a first step towards regime change.The BBC's Barbara Plett, at the UN, says Russia views the resolution as a first step towards regime change.
The UK has urged Moscow to reconsider its opposition.The UK has urged Moscow to reconsider its opposition.
"Russia can no longer explain blocking the UN and providing cover for the regime's brutal repression," said a spokeswoman for Prime Minister David Cameron."Russia can no longer explain blocking the UN and providing cover for the regime's brutal repression," said a spokeswoman for Prime Minister David Cameron.
On Monday, Russia also offered to mediate talks between the Syrian government and the opposition - a suggestion the opposition rejected out of hand.On Monday, Russia also offered to mediate talks between the Syrian government and the opposition - a suggestion the opposition rejected out of hand.
The Syrian government has rejected the Arab League plan, which would see Mr Assad's deputy forming a national unity government within two months.The Syrian government has rejected the Arab League plan, which would see Mr Assad's deputy forming a national unity government within two months.
The prime minister of Qatar and the secretary-general of the Arab League are also going to New York to seek support for the draft text. Qatar heads the League's committee dealing with the Syrian crisis and has previously called for Arab countries to send troops into Syria.The prime minister of Qatar and the secretary-general of the Arab League are also going to New York to seek support for the draft text. Qatar heads the League's committee dealing with the Syrian crisis and has previously called for Arab countries to send troops into Syria.
On Saturday, the Arab League announced it was suspending its month-old monitoring mission in Syria because of an upsurge of violence.On Saturday, the Arab League announced it was suspending its month-old monitoring mission in Syria because of an upsurge of violence.
Tank shellsTank shells
Reports from Damascus say residents in some areas heard the sound of bombing in the early hours of the morning.Reports from Damascus say residents in some areas heard the sound of bombing in the early hours of the morning.
Heavy fighting has taken place in the eastern suburbs for several days.Heavy fighting has taken place in the eastern suburbs for several days.
Over the weekend, troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad launched an offensive targeting several areas under the control of the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA).Over the weekend, troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad launched an offensive targeting several areas under the control of the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA).
They retook control of the suburb of Ghouta, with activists saying the FSA had beaten a "tactical" retreat.They retook control of the suburb of Ghouta, with activists saying the FSA had beaten a "tactical" retreat.
Activists say at least 225 tank shells were fired at the suburbs on Monday.
The BBC and other international media are severely restricted inside Syria. None of the reports have been independently confirmed.
On Monday, the Syrian army held funerals for 22 of its members killed in the previous 24 hours. The BBC's Jim Muir, in neighbouring Lebanon, says on average 20 members of the security forces are being killed each day.On Monday, the Syrian army held funerals for 22 of its members killed in the previous 24 hours. The BBC's Jim Muir, in neighbouring Lebanon, says on average 20 members of the security forces are being killed each day.
Reports have emerged suggesting security forces may have killed senior army defector Lt-Col Hussein Harmoush, one of the first military officers to publicly declare his opposition to Mr Assad last year.Reports have emerged suggesting security forces may have killed senior army defector Lt-Col Hussein Harmoush, one of the first military officers to publicly declare his opposition to Mr Assad last year.
However, the Free Syrian Army, many of whose members are based in Turkey, said they could not confirm the death.However, the Free Syrian Army, many of whose members are based in Turkey, said they could not confirm the death.