Envoy blasts attempted UN action against Syria

Syria blasted a European push for a United Nations Security Council move to condemn the country’s recent crackdown on anti-government protesters. The effort for a unified response against the violence in Syria was blocked by resistance from Russia, China and Lebanon.Earlier this week, Britain, France, Germany and Portugal circulated to the other 11 council members a draft statement condemning the crackdown in which hundreds have been reported killed and urging restraint by the Damascus government. The United States also supported the push.UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for an independent investigation of the killings, though Syria said it was capable of investigating the protesters deaths itself.