Russia - Russia has threatened to veto a UN Security Council resolution on Syria if it is put to a vote on Friday, diplomats say.

Russian officials say they need more time to consult Moscow, BBC UN correspondent Barbara Plett reports.

Meanwhile, a new draft resolution is to be sent back to governments for further deliberation.

The wording has already been watered down in an apparent attempt to overcome Russian objections.

The new text drops explicit calls for President Bashar al-Assad to yield powers to a deputy to oversee a political transition.

His stepping down is a key part of an Arab League plan to end the Syria crisis, but Moscow insists such a move would amount to regime change imposed from outside.

Diplomats said Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin made the latest announcement at a closed-door meeting of the council.

Mr Churkin described Thursday's negotiations as "something of a roller-coaster."