Diplomats: Syria not running for UN rights council

Kuwait is going to replace Syria as a candidate for a seat on the UN's top human rights body in what would be a victory for human rights groups and many governments opposed to the ongoing crackdown by President Bashar Assad's security forces, Western diplomats said Tuesday.

An intense behind-the-scenes campaign has been waged to prevent Syria from being elected to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council following the government's attempts to crush a seven-week uprising challenging the Assad family's 40-year rule. (AP)