Romney Accuses Obama of 'Lack of Leadership' on Syria

Russia's veto of a U.N. Security Council resolution to sanction Syria has exposed President Barack Obama's "lack of leadership" on the issue, White House hopeful Mitt Romney said Thursday.

Russia and China blocked U.N. action against Syria for the third time in nine months, triggering outrage by Western powers intent on heaping more pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down.

The White House expressed frustration with Moscow and Beijing, and a furious U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said the Security Council had failed on Syria and that Washington would intensify its work outside the 15-member body to bring pressure to bear on the Assad regime.

But Romney, locked in an increasingly acrimonious battle to oust his rival from the White House in November's election, pinned part of the blame on an Obama administration he said has refused to lead.

"Russia's veto again shows the hollowness of President Obama's failed 'reset' policy with Russia and his lack of leadership on Syria," Romney said in a statement.

Obama "has given away generous concessions on missile defense and nuclear arms to Russia, but has received little in return except obstruction and belligerence.

"While Russia and Iran have rushed to support Bashar Assad and thousands have been slaughtered, President Obama has abdicated leadership and subcontracted U.S. policy to (U.N.-Arab League envoy) Kofi Annan and the United Nations," he added

The Republican flagbearer caused a diplomatic spat in March when he accused Moscow of being America's "number one geopolitical foe" -- raising eyebrows from critics who say that honor belongs to al-Qaida, North Korea or Iran.

Romney had also described the Washington-Moscow reset as "an enormous mistake" which merely showed the "naivety of a presidency that does not understand the power of resolve and strength."