A draft resolution to impose sanctions on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and a number of his key allies has been vetoed at the UN Security Council.
China and Russia both rejected the proposed measures, including a freeze on their financial assets and travel.
There has been growing international criticism of Zimbabwe since the re-election of Mr Mugabe in a run-off boycotted by the opposition.
Several council members had previously expressed reservations about sanctions.
The South African ambassador to the UN had earlier argued against sanctions.
A BBC correspondent at the UN says the failure of the resolution will be a major blow for the United States and Britain. The UK ambassador said after the vote that the UN had failed in its duty.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7502965.stm
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