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Syrian opposition urges West to stop killings after Hama massacre

Arab World Materials 13 July 2012 14:38 (UTC +04:00)
Syria's opposition on Friday urged Western countries to act to stop deadly government violence against civilians after activists accused forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad of killing more than 200 people in the central Hama province
Syrian opposition urges West to stop killings after Hama massacre

Syria's opposition on Friday urged Western countries to act to stop deadly government violence against civilians after activists accused forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad of killing more than 200 people in the central Hama province, dpa reported.

"Western countries should take responsibilities to confront the crimes of this brutal regime," Naji Tayyara, a member of the Syrian National Council, told dpa.

"We hold members of the UN Security Council, especially Russia and China, responsible for such a crime," he added.

There has been deadlock at the Security Council where Syria allies Russia and China are opposed to a push by Western and Arab countries for a resolution imposing sanctions on al-Assad and threatening the use of military force if he did not stop the violence.

Russia and China, Syria's main allies, have in the past twice blocked tough-worded resolution drafted by Western powers and their Arab allies.

Russia has indicated it will block a new resolution calling for tougher sanctions.
More than 200 mostly civilians were killed on Thursday when Syrian government forces shelled Tremseh and pro-government paramilitaries then stormed the village and executed civilians, activists said.

Videos posted online showed dozens of bodies scattered in a mosque in the mainly Sunni Muslim village.

If confirmed, it would be one of the biggest massacres in the 16-month conflict.

State media accused "terrorists" of carrying out the massacre "to manipulate public opinion against Syria and its people and to bring foreign intervention on the eve of a UN Security Council session."

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