Russia, China Block UN Resolution On Yemen

[Purveyor]

Published: April 20 2011 17:50 | Last updated: April 20 2011 17:50

The international community appeared powerless to address Yemen’s escalating crisis, as Russia and China blocked a resolution on violence against protesters at the UN Security Council on Tuesday night.

Weeks of quiet pressure by western governments have so far failed to end a stand-off between supporters of the 32-year rule of Ali Abdullah Saleh and a growing protest movement determined to unseat him.

On Wednesday, a gunman on a motorcycle opened fire on an anti-government protest camp in the Red Sea town of Hudaida, killing one person, witnesses told Reuters. More than 123 people have been killed in clashes with security forces since protests began in January.

There were hopes that Tuesday's Security Council meeting, requested by Germany, might increase the pressure on Mr Saleh to refrain from near daily attacks on demonstrators, and compel him to pursue a transfer of power.

MORE...

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/44ecdeee-6b59-11e0-9be1-00144feab49a.html