German Chancellor Angela Merkel hit out at Russia and China over their stance in the Syrian crisis, saying in an interview published on Saturday that their action weakened the United Nations.
"It is very regrettable that Russia and China have refused for some time to come to a common position (with Western partners) on the Syrian conflict. This considerably weakens the role of the UN," she said in an interview to local reporter. Russia and China have vetoed three resolutions that would increase pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since the start of the conflict in March 2011.