French Ambassador to the United Nations Gerard Araud speaks ahead of a vote at the United Nations calling for a political transition in Syria on May 15, 2013 in New York City (AFP Photo / John Moore)

(VOVworld)- The U.N. General Assembly has approved an Arab-backed resolution on Wednesday calling for a political transition in Syria. The United States co-sponsored the resolution, saying it would promote a political solution. But key Syrian ally Russia urged a "no" vote, saying it would be "counterproductive and irresponsible" to promote a one-sided resolution while Moscow and Washington were trying to get the Syrian government and opposition to agree to negotiations. Some Latin American countries demanded changes to the content of the resolution to reduce support for the Syrian National Council, the opposition in Syria but their demand was rejected.