April 28 (Bloomberg) -- European nations stepped up pressure on Syria, summoning the country's ambassadors and pushing for a United Nations vote to protest the increasingly violent suppression of anti-government demonstrations.In coordinated moves, France, Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain yesterday called on the Syrian envoys in their capitals to condemn the crackdown that has led to hundreds of deaths.
"Bring out the comfy chair!"
In New York, China and Russia yesterday led opposition that blocked an initiative by the U.S. and its European allies for the UN Security Council to condemn the Syrian government's attacks on peaceful protesters.
The situation "does not present a threat to international peace and security," Russian Deputy Ambassador Alexander Pankin said, referring to the standard for Security Council involvement.
European Union members will meet tomorrow at the ambassador level in Brussels to discuss Syria. Germany favors sanctions on Syria's leadership, including travel restrictions and financial freezes, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters in Berlin yesterday.