Persian Realm

William Hague says UN veto a 'betrayal' of Syrian people

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has accused China and Russia of "betraying the Syrian people" by vetoing a UN resolution condemning violence there.

Mr Hague said it had been a "grave error" and risked increasing the prospects of civil war in the country.

The UK would increase pressure on the Syrian government through the UN and other bodies, he insisted.

Continuing violence was "appalling" and the government of President Bashar al-Assad was "doomed", he added.

Homs witness: 'Pieces of bodies, children, women'

Pieces of bodies'Watch (BBC, VIDEO)

A British citizen of Syrian descent has described the escalating bombardment of the Syrian city of Homs.

Danny Abdul Dayem said he had been to a field hospital, and seen "bodies, pieces of bodies, children, women, men".

He said one field hospital had been hit by a rocket, killing everybody there and now there was no place to take the injured.

He said that people were dying because there was nowhere to take them, no doctors to treat them.

Danny Abdul Dayem was himself shot in Homs last year.

He was able to escape via Cairo back to the UK but he went back to Homs to take part in the uprising against the government.

He told the BBC that Syrian government forces were not allowing anyone or any medication to enter or leave the city anymore. 

Activists horrified as rockets blast through Syrian city

Activists horrified as rockets blast through Syrian city (CNN,Video)

ntense blasts echoed through the ravaged Syrian city of Homs on Monday after a weekend bloodbath ended in hundreds of deaths there, local activists said.

"It is horrible. Especially today, it is horrible," said Abu Omar, a local activist who said the Syrian army was attacking without warning. "Usually they are using mortars. They are now using rockets in the sky. We can see them in the sky."

At least 30 people were killed Monday in Homs, according to a doctor at a field hospital in the city's Baba Amr neighborhood.

But Syrian state-run TV followed the reports Monday with a claim that "armed terrorist groups in Baba Amr" were using mortars to attack several areas in Homs.

The Syrian government has stepped up its brutal crackdown after the U.N. Security Council failed Saturday to pass a resolution condemning the regime, activists said. 

'Bodies on streets' say's correspondent in Syria

Paul Wood: Bodies on streets (VIDEO, BBC)

The city of Homs in Syria has come under sustained attack by government forces.

Reporting from inside the city, Paul Wood told the Today presenter John Humphrys that the people there fear an immanent "invasion" by government ground forces.

"Everybody in this part of Homs... feels abandoned" by the international community, he said. 

Syria troops step up Homs bombing

Heavy artillery fire has been rocking Homs, as Syrian troops continue an assault on the restive city.

A BBC correspondent there says sustained attacks resumed early on Monday, with mortar shells falling every 30 seconds at times.

The rebels say the fire is aimed at a clinic run by anti-government forces.

Opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have been angered by Russia and China's decision to veto a UN resolution criticising Damascus.

Syria troops step up Homs bombing (bbc)

'Gunfire and explosions' in Homs, Syria

BBC team smuggled into Homs, Syria (BBC,VIDEO)

Syrian government forces have bombarded the city of Homs with artillery shells and mortars, killing at least 55 people, according to opposition groups.

But the government has denied the claims and accused activists of engaging in a propaganda campaign.

The BBC's Paul Wood, and cameraman Fred Scott, were smuggled into Homs, from where they sent this report. 

Hague attacks China and Russia over UN Syria veto

Veto a mistake - UK's Hague (bbc)

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has said China and Russia will be "held responsible" for violence in Syria after vetoing a UN resolution condemning government repression.

US anger at Syria veto 'travesty'

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton deplores as a 'travesty' Russia and China's veto of a UN resolution condemning Syria's violent crackdown on protesters.

US anger at Syria veto 'travesty' (bbc)

USA vs RUSSIA: The diplomatic train-wreck on Syria

Crisis strains diplomatic efforts(bbc) by Jonathan Marcus

International efforts to bring pressure to bear on President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria have collapsed in acrimony. 

Syrian veto a 'licence to kill' say opposition activists

Syrian veto a 'licence to kill (bbc)

Russia and China have handed Syria's government a "licence to kill", say opposition activists, after the two countries vetoed a UN resolution.

The Syrian National Council, an opposition umbrella group, urged Moscow and Beijing to change their minds.

The veto caused anger among Western diplomats. Activists earlier attacked Syrian embassies across the world.

West deplores UN Syria vote veto

Western nations have deplored the vetoing by Russia and China of a UN resolution condemning the crackdown in Syria on anti-government protests.

The US said the veto was "shameful", while Britain said it "lets the Syrian people down". France also condemned the block at the UN Security Council.

Russia and China said the proposed draft was "unbalanced".

The document was rejected just hours after activists accused Syrian troops of killing at least 55 people in Homs. 

veto (bbc)

Plan B

This veto will force the international community to go to Plan B.

One way or another Assad will go. You cannot just mow down the people because you think that you are entitled to power.

Also, a veto is better than a water-down resolution supported by China and Russia.

Germany, UK decry vetoes on Syria

Germany, UK decry vetoes on Syria (CNN, VIDEO)

A U.N. resolution condemning Syria failed to be adopted after Russia and China vetoed it. Germany and Britain react. 

Morocco 'saddened' by U.N. failure

Morocco 'saddened' by U.N. failure (CNN, VIDEO)

Morocco's U.N. ambassador says he's "saddened" by U.N.'s failure to pass anti-Syrian resolution Morocco supported. 

Rice: "We won't turn our backs on Syrians"

Susan Rice slams Russia, China over Syria

Rice slams Russia, China (CNN,VIDEO)

CNN's Richard Roth discusses the recent failed resolution on Syria with U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice. 

US expresses 'disgust' at Syria veto

US 'disgust' at Syria vetoWatch (BBC, VIDEO)

An Arab and Western-backed resolution condemning the violent crackdown in Syria has been vetoed at the UN Security Council by Russia and China.

Speaking shortly after the vote in New York, the US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said that Washington was "disgusted" and that the Security Council was being "held hostage by a couple of members".

Moscow and Beijing rejected the draft resolution despite strong international condemnation of recent violence in Syria.

The vote came hours after activists accused Syrian security forces of killing at least 55 people at Homs.

Speaking shortly after the vote in New York, the US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said that Washington was "disgusted" by the move. 

Failed vote may increase violence

Failed vote may increase violence (cnn, VIDEO)

CNN's Nic Robertson says the Security Council's rejection of a resolution against Syria will only cause more violence. 

vildemose Jan

Heavens Knows !

Dear DK: so, what's

Dear DK: so, what's next?

A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny.--Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

Resolution on Syria vetoed at UN by Russia and China

A Western-backed resolution condemning the violent crackdown in Syria has been vetoed at the UN Security Council by Russia and China.

The two permanent members of the council rejected the draft resolution despite strong condemnation by US President Barack Obama of the violence.

The vote came just hours after activists accused the Syrian security forces of carrying out one of the bloodiest attacks since the uprising began, killing at least 55 people in the city of Homs.

Resolution on Syria vetoed at UN  (bbc)

Obama condemns 'unspeakable assault' in Syria

Obama condemns 'unspeakable assault' (cnn)

U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday released a strongly worded condemnation of the government crackdown in Syria, calling on the U.N. Security Council to "stand against" the "relentless brutality" of the regime.

Following is the text of the statement released by the White House.

Thirty years after his father massacred tens of thousands of innocent Syrian men, women, and children in Hama, Bashar al-Assad has demonstrated a similar disdain for human life and dignity.  Yesterday the Syrian government murdered hundreds of Syrian citizens, including women and children, in Homs through shelling and other indiscriminate violence, and Syrian forces continue to prevent hundreds of injured civilians from seeking medical help.  These brutal killings take place at a time when so many Syrians are also marking a deeply meaningful day for their faith.  I strongly condemn the Syrian government's unspeakable assault against the people of Homs and I offer my deepest sympathy to those who have lost loved ones.  Assad must halt his campaign of killing and crimes against his own people now.  He must step aside and allow a democratic transition to proceed immediately. 

Russia cites 'crucial' issues with UN draft as vote nears

Fresh protests at Syrian embassy in London

New protest at Syria UK mission (bbc)

Fresh protests are taking place outside the Syrian embassy in London amid reports that over 200 people were killed by shelling in the country.

Six people were arrested during an overnight demonstration after crowds gathered during the early hours, with some trying to enter the building.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office condemned the break in at the embassy and said security was being reviewed.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was "horrified" at reports from Syria.

Arrests at UK Syrian embassy protest

Six people were arrested during a protest at the Syrian embassy in London overnight, police say.

The Met said about 150 protesters had gathered at 02:00 GMT after reports of more than 200 people being killed by shelling in the Syrian city of Homs.

Five people remained in custody after being arrested for forcing entry into the embassy, and the sixth for assaulting an officer.

Demonstrators said police prevented them from leaving the protest site.

BBC correspondent Andrew Plant said he saw about 30 protesters being held in a cordon, with no signs of trouble.

Reports of the bloodshed in Homs, which cannot be independently verified, come as the UN Security Council prepares to vote later on a resolution backing an Arab League peace plan for Syria.

The draft resolution calls on President Bashar al-Assad to hand power to a deputy to oversee a transition.

Syria activist: Homs situation 'so bad' deaths topple '300"

Activists say Syrian forces have shelled the city of Homs and killed more than 200 people - a claim denied by the government.

An activist who is in Homs told the BBC it was an "awful situation".

The BBC has been unable to verify this amateur footage, apparently filmed in Homs. It appears to show chaotic scenes in a mosque, as the injured are treated in a makeshift hospital.

reporter Paul Wood near Homs

Syrian government forces have bombarded the city of Homs with artillery shells and mortars, killing more than 200 people, opposition groups say.

Activists accused the military of killing women and children in the worst violence in 11 months of unrest.

But the government denied the claims, saying activists were engaging in a propaganda campaign.

The BBC's Paul Wood is with rebel fighters near Homs.

Homs resident: 'Massacre here'

CNN talks to Homs resident, Abu Abdo Alhomsy, who describes the scene in his city as a "massacre."

Homs resident: 'Massacre here' (cnn)

Syria protests erupt across world :London, Cairo, Berlin,US ...

Syria protests erupt across world (cnn)

(CNN) -- A wave of protests broke out at Syrian embassies on several continents amid reports of more than 200 deaths in one Syrian city on Friday and before a possible U.N. Security Council vote on a response to the violent crackdown in the country. Here's a breakdown of some of the demonstrations:

CAIRO

Egyptian police arrested 12 people, mostly Syrians, accused of setting the first floor of the Syrian embassy in Cairo on fire, according to Egyptian police Maj. Karim El-Fouli. Groups of Syrians outside the police station demanded the release of those detained, El-Fouli said.

About 100 people sat outside the police station, leading to a tense standoff with police, said Sumer Badr, a Syrian activist in Cairo.

Badr said demonstrators gathered because of the "massacre" in Homs. (The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition activist group, had reported that more than 200 people were killed in the besieged city Homs. One activist told CNN the assault on Homs took place after dozens of soldiers from the Syrian army defected and fled into the city.)

Syrians in Cairo chanted, "Mubarak gone gone, Assad next next" -- references to former Egyptian ruler Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted after a popular uprising last year, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whom many Syrian protesters are demanding step down.

BERLIN

Thirty-one people broke through the locked doors of the Syrian embassy in Berlin, police said. The men -- all Syrian or of Syrian decent -- infiltrated the building, destroyed office furniture and displayed a flag out of an embassy's office window, Berlin police said.

The intruders also spray-painted slogans on walls. Police arrived and detained all the men, who were later released.

WASHINGTON

A few dozen protesters gathered outside the Syrian embassy in Washington on Friday night. Some chanted, "shame, shame, shame on you."

The demonstration was largely peaceful.

LONDON

About 150 protesters gathered at Belgrave Square, London's Metropolitan Police said, and five people were arrested after gaining entry to the Syrian embassy in London.

Demonstrators gathered in London called for the ouster of al-Assad. 

Homs: 'Capital of revolution'

Homs: 'Capital of revolution' (bbc)

The restive western Syrian city of Homs has become a focal point for protests against President Bashar al-Assad - and it is also one of the areas hardest hit by the state's bloody crackdown.

Homs - for many the capital of the Syrian Revolution - was one of the first cities to join the uprisings against the government, and in April 2011 saw its brutality first-hand when crowds protesting in its Clock Tower Square were fired on, reportedly leaving at least 50 dead and others wounded.

Protests against the government have continued there, despite equally unrelenting attacks by security forces.