Syrian Opposition: U.N. Veto Gives Syria 'License to Kill'

The opposition Syrian National Council on Sunday slammed the Russian and Chinese veto of a U.N. Security Council resolution on Syria as giving the regime of President Bashar Assad a "license to kill."

The SNC said in a statement "Syrians and others around the world" had looked to the Security Council to issue a strongly worded resolution, "one that would clearly condemn the Syrian regime's crimes; the atrocity and impunity with which it kills civilians, including women and children; and the genocide it commits in exterminating entire families.

"However, the world was shocked when the Russian and Chinese governments vetoed the draft Arab-European resolution," the statement said.

"The SNC holds both governments accountable for the escalation of killings and genocide, and considers this irresponsible step a license for the Syrian regime to kill without being held accountable."

The umbrella opposition movement called on Moscow and Beijing "to immediately reassess their positions and to not block the will of the Syrian people, who clearly desire the attainment of their rights and freedoms."

It said the SNC will now approach the U.N. General Assembly "to adopt an international resolution that supports the rights of our people."