Romney: Obama shows "lack of leadership" on Syria

Russia's veto of a UN Security Council resolution to sanction Syria has exposed President Barack Obama's "lack of leadership" on the issue, White House hopeful Mitt Romney has said. "Russia's veto again shows the hollowness of President Obama's failed 'reset' policy with Russia and his lack of leadership on Syria," Romney said in a statement. Russia and China blocked UN action against Syria for the third time in nine months, triggering outrage by Western powers intent on heaping more pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down. "While Russia and Iran have rushed to support Bashar al-Assad and thousands have been slaughtered, President Obama has abdicated leadership and subcontracted US policy to [UN-Arab League envoy] Kofi Annan and the United Nations," he added. The White House expressed frustration with Moscow and Beijing, and a furious US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said the Security Council had failed on Syria and that Washington would intensify its work outside the 15-member body to bring pressure to bear on the Assad regime.