From The Associated Press

Russia and China again vetoed a Western-backed U.N. resolution Thursday threatening sanctions against President Bashar Assad's government if it didn't stop using heavy weapons in the escalating 16-month conflict.

The 11-2 vote, with two abstentions from South Africa and Pakistan, was the third double veto of a Syria resolution by Damascus' most important allies.

The vote also leaves in limbo the future of the 300-strong U.N. observer mission in Syria, whose mandate expires Friday.