Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have hailed India’s vote for a UN Security Council resolution calling for Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad to step down.

“By supporting this resolution, South Africa, India and Pakistan rose to the occasion and sided with the Syrian people”

"India has seen through (Bashar) Assad's lies, and shown itself to be an independent world leader," Human Rights Watch said.

After the US delayed its sale of $53 million worth of arms to Bahrain, it was announced last week that a new package of weapons may be sold, without public notification.

The new package would include the sale of patrol boats, communications equipment, and spare parts for helicopters and fighter jets. The US has been accused of making use of a legal loophole, which states sales of under $1 million could be made, without congressional approval. This loophole also allows for multiple sales, all under $1million.

The Burmese election commission has given Aung San Suu Kyi official approval allowing her to stand for parliamentary by-elections later this year.

After announcing her intention to run for elections last month, her candidacy has now been accepted, in a move that will be seen as Burma taking another step towards political openness after nearly 50 years of military rule.

The UK and US have recalled ambassadors from Syria, further increasing pressure on the Assad regime.

Britain's foreign secretary, William Hague, said in a statement Monday,

"While we meet, the gravest of crimes are being committed in Syria. Responsibility for those crimes lies overwhelmingly at the door of the Syrian authorities ... We should unite behind the Arab League plan, and that is what I urge all members of the council to do, this week."

France intends to push for further sanctions against the Assad regime, after Russia and China vetoed the UN Security Council resolution on Saturday.

France's foreign minister, Alain Juppe, said,

"The president will take initiatives in the next few days to try to gather everyone who thinks the situation in Syria is completely unacceptable,"

"It's a scandal what is happening today."

The United Nations Security Council is to vote on a resolution regarding Syria on Saturday, with all eyes on Russia, Syria’s strongest ally on the council.

Russia initially rejected parts of the latest draft, but it remains unclear which way they will vote on Saturday, as hope remains that the resolution could still be passed.

Pakistan’s U.N. Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon told reporters that the council was “very close… two words away" from an accord.

A UN Security Council resolution condemning Syria’s government for the violence it is committing against anti-regime protestors has been vetoed by Russia and China.

The resolution called for President Bashar al-Assad to step down and a "Syrian-led political transition to a democratic, plural political system", a call first made by the Arab League.

The most senior Khmer Rouge official yet to face charges has been jailed for life.

Duch, formerly known as Kaing Guek Eav was found guilty of crimes against humanity and jailed in 2010 for 35 years.

He appealed the decision, claiming he was a junior official following orders and would have been killed if he didn’t obey the commands.

However his appeal was rejected and judges increased his sentence to a life term.

China's prime minister, Wen Jiabao, said that China would consider liaising with the International Monetary Fund, in order to help the European Union in tackling its debt crisis.