At the UN, European nations seeking to increase pressure on Assad's regime presented a revised resolution condemning Syria for its deadly crackdown on peaceful protesters.
It will never give up that role, analysts say, but adhering to it without regional allies would condemn Syria to the political and economic backwaters.
The UN security council negotiated for a second day yesterday over a western-backed draft resolution condemning Syria, before adjourning until today.
Today Britain and France will table a resolution in the UN condemning Syria.
- Britain to table UN resolution today condemning Syria.
- Cameron has said that Britain and France are today tabling a motion at the United Nations condemning Syria.
The United Nations Human Rights Council condemns Syria and extends war crimes inquiry.
The speakers at the rally harshly condemned Hizbullah, Hamas, Iran and Syria, and stressed Israel's right to self-defense.
Germany's plan for Europe, UN condemns Syria, America's unhappiest city.
The Russian's subsequent veto of the October resolution condemning Syria, which was supported by China, drew strong criticism from the United States, France and Britain.