Syrian Rebels Slam Russia For Blocking UN Resolution on Atrocities

Moscow has backed the Assad regime so far

The war of words between Syria's opposition and Russia heated up Monday, with the rebels accusing Moscow of becoming "a partner in the murder of innocent civilians" and demanding it be denied a "serious role" in finding a political solution to Syria's two-year-old civil war.

The Syrian National Coalition said Russia had put the lives of tens of thousands of civilians in jeopardy by blocking a U.N. Security Council draft declaration that would have criticized the Syrian regime's offensive against the rebel-held town of Qusair near the border with Lebanon.