U.N. Security Council credibility at stake on Syria sanctions talk - France

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Russia is ready to veto a draft resolution calling for sanctions against Syria over the use of chemical weapons on civilians, a top Russian diplomat to the United Nations said on Friday, prompting a rebuke from the United States.

"There is an argument that the resolution itself contradicts the fundamental principle of presumption of innocence before the investigation is over," Vladimir Safronkov, Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador, said after a Security Council meeting to discuss the text.