Analysts said the possibility of a political resolution to the Syrian crisis remains despite a divide in the United Nations, after Russia and China on Thursday, for the third time, vetoed a West-proposed draft resolution.

The two countries explained after the vote that the resolution was "biased" and "seriously problematic", as it threatened nonmilitary sanctions by quoting Chapter 7 of the UN Charter if the Syrian government were to fail to pull out troops and heavy weapons from populated areas within 10 days.

It also proposed to extend the UN Supervision Mission in Syria another 45 days after its scheduled expiration on Friday.