Angela Merkel regrets lack of UN Security Council agreement on Syria

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday she regretted that the UN Security Council was unable to agree joint language on the escalating conflict in Syria.

Speaking to reporters after a two-day cabinet meeting, Merkel added that she did not want to speculate on what may happen next in the region.Russia has warned that any US missiles fired at Syria over a suspected chemical weapons attack on a rebel enclave would be shot down and the launch sites targeted, raising the possibility of a US-Russian confrontation.

The United Nations Security Council rejected a Russian-drafted resolution today on investigating chemical weapons use in Syria after Moscow vetoed a competing US-proposed measure.

Six countries including China and Russia backed the measure, while seven nations voted against. Two countries abstained.

A draft resolution requires nine votes to be adopted in the 15-member council and no veto from the five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.