Arab states will not stop their efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis even though their bid to secure UN backing was blocked by Russia and China, the Arab League's secretary-general said in a statement obtained by Reuters on Sunday.

Nabil Elaraby also said the Russian and Chinese veto "does not negate that there is clear international support for the resolutions of the Arab League", which had sought UN Security Council backing for a decision that called for President Bashar al-Assad to step aside so talks with the opposition could start.

The League statement was expected to be issued more widely later on Sunday.