Russia accused the West of trying to use blackmail to secure a new U.N. Security Council resolution that could allow for use of outside force to end Syria's civil war.

The Security Council is debating a new resolution on Syria as envoy Kofi Annan's plan to halt the fighting appears dead. Russia, a longtime Syria ally, is facing intense criticism that it is standing in the way of ending the conflict.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Annan on Monday evening. Annan was scheduled to meet with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

Russia has adamantly opposed international military intervention in Syria, and such a step has been all but ruled out publicly by Western nations.

But the text for a Western-backed resolution circulated by Britain that calls for sanctions would leave the possibility open for military enforcement under the U.N. Charter's Chapter 7.

The debate comes as a mandate for a U.N. observer force expires on Friday, and Lavrov insisted that the West was using the deadline as a bargaining chip. "To our great regret, there are elements of blackmail," Lavrov said at a news conference.

ASSOCIATED PRESS