BBC News with David Austin
There's been a harsh exchange of words at the United Nations after Russia and China vetoed a resolution critical of Syria. The Americans said the two countries had sold out the Syrian people. The British said they'd
turned their backs on
the Arab world. The Russians in turn accused Western nations of pursuing
regime change
through the resolution they'd sponsored. Here's Barbara Plett in New York.
The vote was delayed by an hour or two as Russia tried to win support for amendments to the draft. The Russians were still unhappy with the Arab plan for a political transition which the resolution
endorses
. They said it imposes a solution on Syria. They also wanted language condemning the armed opposition as well as the Syrian army. This in particular was a step too far for Western diplomats on a day when Bashar al-Assad's forces are accused of killing scores of people.
There have been heavy casualties in a Syrian army attack against the city of Homs. More than 50 people have been documented as killed.
Some reports said as many as 200 may have died. Activists and rebel fighters said the authorities had
pounded
parts of the city with mortars and tank fire. The Syrian government has dismissed the reports as
fabricated
. Paul Wood has just got into the city of Homs and sent this report.
I'm speaking to you from a rooftop in a suburb of Homs. And just within past couple of minutes, we've seen clashes