Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal is disappointed by Russia and China's veto of today's UN Security Council resolution on Syria. He believes it’s the international community’s duty to intervene. 

"It is a huge blow for the Syrian people, Assad has to stand down," said Minister Rosenthal on Saturday after the resolution calling on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stand down was vetoed. Mr Rosenthal felt the Arab League's request for international support for a political solution to the crisis presented an opportunity for all Security Council members to take responsibility.

Mr Rosenthal condemns the latest violence by Syria’s government troops against the rebel city of Homs. He is “seriously concerned about the situation in Syria, where the regime continues its bloody and repressive campaign against its own people.” He says the Netherlands will continue to press for more sanctions against the regime as long as Assad stays in power.

(nc/tt)

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