Russia, China boycott UN Syria sanctions talks

Russia and China on Thursday boycotted UN Security Council talks on a Western proposal to impose sanctions on Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, diplomats said.
Their absence at the talks signalled the tough negotiations ahead on the move to act against Assad's deadly crackdown on opposition protests, diplomats said.
Ambassadors or their deputies from the 15-nation council were invited to the talks. "The Russian and Chinese seats were empty, there was no one," a council diplomat told AFP.
Russia and China, along with the United States, France and Britain, are permanent members of the council who can veto any resolution.
Russia has strongly spoken out against Syria sanctions, insisting that more time be given to Assad to carry out promised reforms.
Brazil, India and South Africa, non-permanent members of the council, are also believed to have strong reservations about sanctions.
Britain, France, Germany, Portugal and the United States -- the main backers of the sanctions campaign -- hope to sway at least one of the three doubters from the emerging powers.
Their draft resolution calls for sanctions against Assad, his entourage and companies that fund the Syrian government and a total arms embargo.