Russia and China vetoed Friday a US draft resolution which intends to cast further pressure on Myanmar for its problems in political, economic and social areas.

Among the 15 Council members, Russia, China and South Africa voted against the draft resolution, while Qatar, Indonesia and Congo Republic abstained.

Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Wang Guangya said before the vote that the Myanmar issue is mainly an internal affair of a sovereign state.

"The present domestic situation in Myanmar does not pose a threat to international or regional peace and security," he stressed, adding "similar problems exist in many other countries as well."

"China holds that there is no need for the Security Council to get involved and nor should it take action on the issue of Myanmar," Wang observed.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin echoed what his Chinese counterpart said, emphasizing "we find attempts aimed at using the Security Council to discuss issues outside its purview are unacceptable."

The draft resolution, cosponsored by Britain, calls on Myanmar to cease military attacks against civilians in ethnic minority regions, to address the humanitarian needs of the people of Myanmar, and to release all political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2007)