European nations seek UN Security Council resolution condemning crackdown in Syria, as many residents flee to Turkey.European powers are increasing pressure for a UN Security Council vote condemning Syria's bloody government crackdown on pro-democracy protests in the country.
Britain, France, Germany and Portugal have circulated a draft resolution that would condemn the government's acts and demand an immediate end to the violence in Syria.
However, the proposal falls short of calling for military action or further UN sanctions against the Syrian government.
"Today in New York, Britain and France will be tabling a resolution at the Security Council condemning the repression and demanding accountability and humanitarian access," David Cameron, the British prime minister, said on Wednesday.
"And if anyone votes against that resolution or tries to veto it, that should be on their conscience," he told parliament members.
A day earlier, Alain Juppe, the French foreign minister, condemned what he called "the repression" in Syria, saying it was getting worse.
"The massacres are on the rise. It is inconceivable that the United Nations remains silent on such a matter," Juppe said.
"We are working with our UK friends to have as large a majority as possible on the Security Council. I think we have to move to a vote so that everyone can assume their responsibilities."
Russia, citing NATO's inconclusive bombing of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, said it would veto intervention against Syria in the Security Council.
'Struck by fear'
Meanwhile in Syria, the unrest continued as residents of the northern town of Jisr al-Shughur fled amid fears of a military crackdown, two days after the government vowed retaliation for the alleged killings of 120 security personnel.
Locals said many residents were fleeing the area for the Turkish border about 20km away, before the expected assault.
About 160 Syrians crossed into Turkey in two separate waves on Wednesday, an AFP news agency reporter at the scene said.
"People were struck by fear and panic after the government statements ... it's clear they are preparing for a major massacre,'' a resident told the AP news agency on Tuesday.
Mohammed Ibrahim al-Shaar's, the interior minister, said on Monday that "the state will act firmly, with force".
The large number of Syrians fleeing the country amid the crackdown on protesters is deeply worrying, the head of the United Nations refugee body said on Wednesday.
"There is a meaningful number of Syrians who have crossed the border into Turkey ... and of course this is an area of enormous concern to us," Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, told reporters in Stockholm.
Turkey criticism
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's prime minister, has said his country will not close its doors to refugees fleeing the unrest in Syria.
Speaking on Wednesday, Erdogan said: "At this point it is out of the question for Turkey to close its doors to refugees coming from Syria. The recent developments are really unfortunate.
"We are monitoring developments with concern as we have very different information and it raises our concerns."
Erdogan called on Damascus to show more tolerance towards its citizens after the latest clashes in the northwest.
"We hope Syria will be more tolerant towards civilians and implement persuasive reforms so the transitional process can be effective," he said.
Fleeing Syrians are being housed in tents set up by the Red Crescent in the Yayladagi district of southern Turkey's Hatay province, state-run Anatolian news agency reported.
A foreign ministry official said around 420 people have crossed the border from Syria since the bloody protests started in March.
Turkey has built strong ties with Syria in recent years and has been exerting growing pressure on al-Assad, with Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, calling on him to introduce "shock therapy" reforms to end the trouble.
'Mutilated bodies'
Security forces have been conducting military operations in Jisr al-Shughur for several days as part of a crackdown on anti-government protests. Activists say 42 people have been killed.
State television reported that 120 members of the security forces were killed in an ambush on Monday by "armed gangs" who had "mutilated bodies and thrown others into the Assi river" and burnt public buildings.
Activists said the security forces were shot by government troops, after they refused to open fire on civilians.
Foreign journalists are barred from travelling around Syria, making it difficult to report on the unrest and verify government and eyewitness accounts of the violence.
Activists say about 1,100 people have been killed in Syria since anti-government protests began in March
Britain, France, Germany and Portugal have circulated a draft resolution that would condemn the government's acts and demand an immediate end to the violence in Syria.
However, the proposal falls short of calling for military action or further UN sanctions against the Syrian government.
"Today in New York, Britain and France will be tabling a resolution at the Security Council condemning the repression and demanding accountability and humanitarian access," David Cameron, the British prime minister, said on Wednesday.
"And if anyone votes against that resolution or tries to veto it, that should be on their conscience," he told parliament members.
A day earlier, Alain Juppe, the French foreign minister, condemned what he called "the repression" in Syria, saying it was getting worse.
"The massacres are on the rise. It is inconceivable that the United Nations remains silent on such a matter," Juppe said.
"We are working with our UK friends to have as large a majority as possible on the Security Council. I think we have to move to a vote so that everyone can assume their responsibilities."
Russia, citing NATO's inconclusive bombing of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, said it would veto intervention against Syria in the Security Council.
'Struck by fear'
Meanwhile in Syria, the unrest continued as residents of the northern town of Jisr al-Shughur fled amid fears of a military crackdown, two days after the government vowed retaliation for the alleged killings of 120 security personnel.
Locals said many residents were fleeing the area for the Turkish border about 20km away, before the expected assault.
About 160 Syrians crossed into Turkey in two separate waves on Wednesday, an AFP news agency reporter at the scene said.
"People were struck by fear and panic after the government statements ... it's clear they are preparing for a major massacre,'' a resident told the AP news agency on Tuesday.
Mohammed Ibrahim al-Shaar's, the interior minister, said on Monday that "the state will act firmly, with force".
The large number of Syrians fleeing the country amid the crackdown on protesters is deeply worrying, the head of the United Nations refugee body said on Wednesday.
"There is a meaningful number of Syrians who have crossed the border into Turkey ... and of course this is an area of enormous concern to us," Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, told reporters in Stockholm.
Turkey criticism
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's prime minister, has said his country will not close its doors to refugees fleeing the unrest in Syria.
Speaking on Wednesday, Erdogan said: "At this point it is out of the question for Turkey to close its doors to refugees coming from Syria. The recent developments are really unfortunate.
"We are monitoring developments with concern as we have very different information and it raises our concerns."
Erdogan called on Damascus to show more tolerance towards its citizens after the latest clashes in the northwest.
"We hope Syria will be more tolerant towards civilians and implement persuasive reforms so the transitional process can be effective," he said.
Fleeing Syrians are being housed in tents set up by the Red Crescent in the Yayladagi district of southern Turkey's Hatay province, state-run Anatolian news agency reported.
A foreign ministry official said around 420 people have crossed the border from Syria since the bloody protests started in March.
Turkey has built strong ties with Syria in recent years and has been exerting growing pressure on al-Assad, with Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, calling on him to introduce "shock therapy" reforms to end the trouble.
'Mutilated bodies'
Security forces have been conducting military operations in Jisr al-Shughur for several days as part of a crackdown on anti-government protests. Activists say 42 people have been killed.
State television reported that 120 members of the security forces were killed in an ambush on Monday by "armed gangs" who had "mutilated bodies and thrown others into the Assi river" and burnt public buildings.
Activists said the security forces were shot by government troops, after they refused to open fire on civilians.
Foreign journalists are barred from travelling around Syria, making it difficult to report on the unrest and verify government and eyewitness accounts of the violence.
Activists say about 1,100 people have been killed in Syria since anti-government protests began in March
0 comments:
Post a Comment