The UN Security Council ended nearly eight hours of closed-door discussion late Tuesday without reaching agreement on how to deal with Syria's repression of protesters, dpa reported.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters that council members would consult with their governments and return on Wednesday for more discussion.
"Unfortunately no final agreement is possible today among Security Council members," Churkin said. "The required balance has not been achieved."
A German diplomat said some council members would draft a text overnight that would be the basis for discussion at the next session.
India's UN Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, who currently presides over the 15-nation council, said earlier Tuesday that two council members that he did not name were opposed to a resolution while a third member, Lebanon, was against any statement criticizing Syria. The two opposing members were known to be Russia and China.
Puri said the opposition had complicated the council's efforts to stop the violence, which he said has inflicted deaths to protesters as well as Syrian security forces.
"Therefore, some ways have to be found and then go down for a vote," Puri said. "The council should send a message to calm down the situation and not exacerbate it."
He said council discussions were "robust, very frank and clear views were expressed."
Russia and China, which have veto powers, have in the past opposed any draft resolutions against Syria. The United States, Britain and France are the other permanent members with veto powers.
Puri said it had not yet been decided whether the council would issue what is called a presidential statement or a draft resolution in response to the violence in Syria.
Such a statement requires unanimous support, but it is less effective than a resolution adopted by council members.
He said Britain, on behalf of Western governments in the council, reintroduced the draft resolution it initiated in June which sought to condemn the violence. Other council members including Brazil have offered amendments.
The attempt to revise that draft came after the council met on Monday in the wake of the killing of more than 90 protesters in the central Syrian city of Hama.