REUTERS

British Foreign Minister William Hague addresses the United Nations Security Council during a meeting at the United Nations in New York.

William Hague has warned Russia and China that the blood of Syrian protesters will be on their hands for failing to stand up to the “murdering” regime.

The Foreign Secretary could not conceal his anger following their decision to veto a UN resolution calling for the resignation of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

He said Moscow and Beijing would be “held responsible” for what happens in Syria and that he could not understand their support for a “doomed regime as well as a murdering regime”. He warned the veto marked “an hour of shame” for the UN.

His remarks were echoed by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who said the veto was a “travesty” and called for the “friends of democratic Syria” to unite against al-Assad. The fallout followed a weekend of violence which saw as many as 300 people killed in the town of Homs following shelling on Friday.

Human rights groups say at least 7 000 people have died since the uprising began in March.

A draft resolution condemning Syria was supported by 13 of the 15 UN Security Council members when it was put to a vote on Saturday, meaning it was not adopted.

It was the second time in four months that Russia has obstructed a resolution condemning Syria.

Mr Hague said yesterday: “Increasingly, Russia and China will be held responsible for this continuing appalling situation.

“They are standing in the way of the UN Security Council taking a clear position, backing a very good plan for the way forward by the Arab League. It will have consequences for their influence in the Middle East. They are turning their backs on the Arab world.

“Russia and China are very isolated in the indefensible position they have taken up.”

The Foreign Secretary also warned that al-Assad could step up his reprisals against anti-government protesters. “Will he have been emboldened by the fact that Russia and China vetoed the resolution?” he said.

“Yes, I think so and I think it does mean that Russia and China do bear increasingly, as these events continue, increased responsibility for what is happening.”

Mrs Clinton, on a visit to the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, this weekend, echoed Mr Hague’s comments.

“What happened yesterday at the United Nations was a travesty,” she said.

“We will work to expose those who are still funding the regime and sending it weapons to be used against defenceless Syrians, including women and children.”

An al-Qaeda leader who allegedly masterminded the July 7, 2005 London bombings has reportedly been freed from a Syrian jail.

Abu Musab al-Suri, who is also wanted in connection with the 2004 Madrid train bombings, was apparently released in Aleppo, near the Turkish border, last week.

His release has been interpreted as a warning to the United States and Britain over their failure to support al-Assad during the Syrian uprisings. - Daily Mail