Germany and France announced Monday, February 6 the launch of a contact group to step up international pressure against Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, saying they were appalled at the vetoing of a UN Security Council resolution to condemn him, M&C reported, citing DPA.

Speaking after a meeting in Paris, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Nicolas Sarkozy said they would not back off on the issue despite Saturday’s setback.

“Germany and France will not let the Syrian people down on the Syrian issue. What has happened is a scandal, and we cannot put up with indecision or a blockade by the international community,” said Sarkozy.

Merkel said the two powers were “not only disappointed but appalled” by the Chinese and Russian veto when the votes were cast in New York. Sarkozy said he would telephone Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday to protest in Germany's name as well.

They gave no immediate details on the contact group, which German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle foreshadowed the previous day.

Through her spokesman in Berlin, Merkel called the veto a “bitter setback.”