UN to vote on tough Syria resolution

The text, co-sponsored by the United States, France and Britain, has been revised several times to take into account the concerns of some members, including veto-wielding Russia and China, opposed to any mention of such sanctions.

But the United States and France, which drafted the text, said they were optimistic that a large majority of the council would endorse it.

US and French diplomats said 13 foreign ministers were expected to attend Monday's session, which follows the release of a report by UN chief investigator Detlev Mehlis implicating senior Syrian security officials in the murder of Lebanese former premier Rafiq Hariri in Beirut last February.

"What we see is unanimous support for a very strong, very clear signal to Syria," the US ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, said. "I don't foresee a veto."

To be adopted, a resolution needs the support of at least nine of the council's 15 members and no veto from the five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

France's UN envoy Jean-Marc de la Sabliere said the co-sponsors had gone out of their way to accommodate the concerns expressed by dissenters.

"We hope that it will be approved by all," he added.