An Arab and Western-backed resolution condemning the violent crackdown in Syria has been vetoed at the UN Security Council by Russia and China.
The two permanent council members rejected the draft resolution, which came hours after activists accused Syrian security forces of killing at least 55 people at Homs.
The US ambassador said the vetoes were "shameful", Britain was "appalled".
China and Russia defended their move, saying the draft was "unbalanced".
Russia says the draft resolution had singled out the government of President Bashar al-Assad, and did not containing measures against armed opposition groups.
But proposed Russian amendments to the text were described as "unacceptable" by the US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is due to have talks with Mr Assad in Damascus on Tuesday.
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