No concessions made on Syria, U.S. says

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Washington didn't make any concessions at the U.N. Security Council regarding the measure reached on Syrian bloodshed, the U.S. envoy said.

The Security Council issued a strong statement Wednesday condemning the use of force against civilian demonstrators opposing the government.

The council in its statement expressed regret over the loss of hundreds of lives at the hands of the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad but stopped short of issuing a formal resolution.

"Those responsible for the violence should be held accountable," the Security Council statement read.

Assad has enacted a series of political reforms that Damascus said should ease protesters' concerns. Violence, however, has continued despite the new measures.

Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said the "important and strong statement" of condemnation against Syria was "long overdue."

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said the Security Council action sent a strong and unified message to Damascus, noting Security Council members would meet again in one week to review the situation.

Rice, who acknowledged Washington supported a resolution, denied there were any concessions made in getting the statement through Security Council members.

Lebanon, a non-permanent member of the Security Council, dissociated itself from the statement but made no effort to block its adoption.