Germany Says U.N. Hesitation on Syria Not 'Tolerable'

Germany's foreign minister said Friday that U.N. wrangling over a resolution on Syria was harming the people, as he pushed for decisive action amid Russian hesitation and frantic diplomacy.

Speaking ahead of the opening of the Munich Security Conference, Guido Westerwelle called on his counterparts at the gathering to use the time to continue talks on finding language acceptable to all in a resolution.

"All those still hesitating must recognize that their hesitation is no longer tolerable for the people who are suffering from this violence and repression," said Westerwelle in a clear swipe at Moscow.

"The international community must negotiate. It must find common language," he said, as diplomats at the United Nations consider a draft Security Council resolution that was amended to overcome Russian-led opposition.

The latest draft does not explicitly call on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down or mention an arms embargo or sanctions, although it "fully supports" an Arab League plan to facilitate a democratic transition.

Westerwelle said the international community must recognize "that this regime cannot continue with this repression and that President Assad must allow a peaceful transition of power".

The violence in Syria has killed at least 6,000 people since it erupted in March, according to rights groups.

Westerwelle also addressed the thorny issue of withdrawal from Afghanistan, stressing that the international community had already agreed a timetable for handing over responsibility to Afghans and that the situation on the ground was key.

"If the security situation and progress in Afghanistan develop well, then we of course have some room for maneuver," he said.

"But the security situation and progress on the ground are our top criteria and we place great emphasis on that because this is about ensuring Afghanistan does not again become a safe haven for terrorism in the world."

NATO-led forces plan to pull out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014 but France now aims to end its combat role there in 2013, after four French troops were killed by a renegade Afghan soldier.

The three-day Munich Security Conference, which opens later Friday, brings together heads of state, foreign ministers, top brass and defense policy experts from around the world.

This year's event, dealing with the topic of the increasing role of Asia in security policy, is headlined by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is to speak on Saturday.