The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have failed to arrive at a consensus on a draft resolution calling for action against Syria.

On Wednesday, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council finished a closed-door meeting on a draft resolution proposed by Britain "authorising all necessary measures to protect civilians" in Syria.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told his British counterpart William Hague that such a proposal should not be considered before the UN inspectors hand in their report on the ground.

Later, U.S. State Department Deputy Spokeswoman Marie Harf said that the resolution was stalled by what she called Russian "intransigence". The United States, Britain and France insist that the Syrian government must be punished for its alleged use of gas poisons on civilians last week.

Despite U.S. reports of possible strikes beginning as early as Thursday, a French diplomat said the country's parliament would only debate the Syria crisis on September the 4th, raising doubts about any imminent military action.

British Prime Minister David Cameron will convene an emergency meeting of Parliament on Thursday. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the motion clearing the way for a British response to the alleged chemical weapons attack.