The UN special envoy to Syria was on Monday in Moscow, as the UN Chief Ban Ki-moon paid a visit to Baijing in bid to press the two countries on the Syrian crisis.

The UN special envoy to Syria was on Monday in Moscow, as the UN Chief Ban Ki-moon paid a visit to Baijing in bid to press the two countries on the Syrian crisis.

(Archives)

Annan spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said that the UN envoy would meet President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during two days of talks in Russia.

For his part, Ban headed for Beijing on Monday, officially for a China-Africa summit. But Syria would top his talks agenda when he would meet President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and other leaders, said a UN official.

"So divided that maybe Annan and Ban now have the most influence over Russia and China to get anything done," said one senior UN council diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A draft statement which said the Syria government is in "violation" of its international commitments was circulated among the 15 council nations on Friday, diplomats said. Russia's envoys said they could not agree without approval from Moscow.

Britain, the United States, France, Germany and Portugal want a resolution passed this week that would threaten sanctions if Assad does not pull back his main weapons.

Russia, which has proposed a resolution which just renews the UN mission, has said the threat is "unacceptable" and would not be allowed.

Russia and China have twice used their powers as permanent members of the Security Council to veto resolutions which just spoke of possible measures.