BBC News with Kathy Clugston

The United States says friends of a democratic Syria must rally against President Assad. The American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the UN Security Council had been "

neutered

" by Russia and China on Saturday when they vetoed a resolution critical of Syria - a move she called a "

travesty

". Mrs Clinton promised tough action against Syria.

"We will work to seek regional and national sanctions against Syria and strengthen the ones we have. They will be implemented to the fullest to dry up the sources of funding and the arms shipments that are keeping the regime's war machine going. We will work to expose those who are still funding the regime and sending it weapons that are used against defenceless Syrians including women and children."

Correspondents say anti-Assad governments may now work outside the UN to end the bloodshed.

More than 40 people working for pro-democracy and human rights groups in Egypt are to be

put on trial

accused of using foreign funds to

stir up

unrest. Here's Yolande Knell in Cairo.

This decision will further damage relations between Cairo and Washington. Nineteen Americans are among 43 individuals working for pro-democracy and human rights groups who now face criminal charges. It's believed they include the son of the US Transport Secretary Ray LaHood, who works for an organisation funded by the American government. The investigation into foreign funding of non-governmental organisations is directly linked to Egypt's continuing political