Azerbaijan , Baku, Sept. 28 / Trend A. Isgandarov/
European countries proposing a new UN resolution over Syria have dropped demands for immediate sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad's government.
The draft, proposed by the UK, France, Germany and Portugal and backed by the US, threatens sanctions only if the repression of protests does not end, BBC reported.
The scaled-back version is aimed at winning the support of China and Russia, which oppose sanctions.
Western diplomats say they are planning for a vote by the end of the week.
The draft resolution "demands an immediate end to all violence", according to copies obtained by news agencies.
It says the 15-nation Security Council "expresses its determination, in the event that Syria has not complied with this resolution, to adopt targeted measures, including sanctions".
Last month the US, Britain, France, Germany and Portugal put forward a draft resolution calling for sanctions against President Assad, members of his family and close associates.
But Russia and China have threatened to veto any sanctions resolution against Syria.
Others countries which oppose sanctions include a bloc of key emerging powers - India, South Africa, and Brazil.
Faced with expanding street protests demanding an end to 41 years of Assad family rule, the president has sent troops and tanks into cities and towns across the country.
The military crackdown has killed at least 2,700 people, including 100 children, according to the United Nations.
Syrian authorities say 700 police and army have been killed during the unrest which they blame on "terrorists" and "mutineers."
Assad has said foreign powers are using the unrest to divide Syria, and added any state would use similar techniques to end a revolt.