Germany's foreign minister says failure by the Security Council to agree on a resolution condemning the violent crackdown on dissent in Syria risks undermining the United Nation's authority.

Guido Westerwelle says the world must "show solidarity with those people who are on the streets now" in Syria demanding democracy, freedom and human rights.

European nations are calling for a vote Tuesday on a UN resolution that would consider sanctions if the Syrian government doesn't immediately halt its military crackdown against civilians.

Westerwelle said after a working lunch in The Hague the international community will be weakened if it cannot "find a common language in respect to these atrocities and to this repression in Syria."