UN Security Council considers next steps for Syria
Members of the United Nations Security Council meet in September 2011. Chaired by Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the global body met to discuss the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian bid for statehood.
The United Nations Security Council was meeting Friday to consider a draft resolution concerning the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, the BBC reported.
The United Kingdom, France and Germany drafted a resolution with Arab nations supporting the Arab League's call for Assad to hand over power to a deputy.
French Ambassador Gerard Araud said "We have waited too long," the Associated Press reported.
This week Syria saw an upsurge in deadly violence. The UN said at least 5,400 have been killed in a months-long Syrian government crackdown on protests.
More from GlobalPost: Russia warns West not to intervene in Syria
Diplomats said Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told a closed-door meeting of the Security Council that he was "deeply disappointed" with the European-Arab draft resolution, according to Reuters. Russia has the power to veto the draft.
The draft resolution calls for further measures if the Syrian government does not comply with the call for political transition.
More from GlobalPost: UN could vote on new Syria resolution next week
Another possible obstacle: not all Arab states back the UN plan. While Qatar has played a pivotal role in the UN process, other nations have been less supportive.
On Friday, Omani Foreign Minister Yousef bin Alawi told Al Arabiya television, "The Arab League will not allow foreign military intervention in Syria. This is non-negotiable," according to Reuters.
The Arab League secretary-general and Qatar's prime minister will brief the Security Council on the situation in Syria on Tuesday. The council is expected to vote on the resolution next week.
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