Russia, China boycott UN talks on Syria

Russian and Chinese seats empty:

UNITED NATIONS: Russia and China have boycotted the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) talks on a proposal to impose sanctions on a list of Syrian individuals and entities affiliated with the Syrian government.

The Russian and Chinese envoys were absent at the talks, signaling their countries' opposition to the 15-member council talks against Syria.

"The Russian and Chinese seats were empty, there was no one," AFP quoted a council diplomat as saying on Thursday.

The proposal introduced by the United States and backed by Britain, France, Germany and Portugal, seeks to impose an asset freeze on a list of four entities and 23 individuals, including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

It also seeks to impose a travel ban on all the individuals on the list except for Assad. Russia has already announced its opposition to any new sanctions against Damascus, and called for the implementation of reforms pledged by the Syrian government.

Russia and China are among two of the permanent members of the 15-nation council who can veto any resolution.

Non-permanent Security Council members Brazil, India and South Africa are also believed to be against any new sanctions.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March with demonstrations held both against and in support of President Assad's government.

Hundreds of people have been killed when some protest rallies turned into armed clashes.

The opposition accuses security forces of being behind the violence. Press TV