President Francois Hollande of France says the stalemate at the United Nations over the crisis in Syria illustrates the need for a reform of the UN Security Council.
Mr Hollande said on Monday that the veto by Russia and China had weakened the UN to the extent that it risked being sidelined.
"I say to China and Russia: (Your) attitude is weakening the capacity to ensure the United Nations charter is respected," he said.
Mr Hollande also urged the opposition in Syria to create a representative provisional government which his country would immediately recognise once it was formed.
He said Paris supported people who wanted a free, democratic Syria and were protecting civilians.
