Syria condemned by UN security council as tanks storm Hama

The vote, which required approval by all 15 council members, resulted in Lebanon dissociating itself The UN security council has added its weight to growing international outcry over Syria by condemning the attacks on civilians by President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Syrian tanks have stormed Hama under heavy shelling on the fourth day of their offensive, taking over a main square at the heart of the city and cutting off electricity, water and phone lines. The UN security council’s presidential statement on Syria carries less weight than a resolution, but it still becomes part of the council’s record. The vote, which required approval by all 15 council members, put Lebanon in a difficult position. Instead of blocking adoption of the UN statement, Lebanon invoked a procedure last used 35 years ago and dissociated itself from the text. In other steps, Hillary Clinton met with US-based Syrian democracy activists on Tuesday as the Obama administration weighed up new sanctions against Syria. Congressional calls also mounted for action against Assad’s regime. Opposition figures and activists accused the regime of striking hard at a moment when world and media attention were distracted by the trial in Egypt of former president, Hosni Mubarak. “Hama is being collectively punished for its peaceful protests calling for the downfall of Bashar Assad,” said Suheir Atassi, a prominent pro-democracy activist. Like many other Syria-based activists, Atassi has gone largely into hiding and communicated via email. “The Syrian regime is committing crimes against humanity,” she said. “Where are the free people of the world?” At least three tanks took up positions in Hama’s central Assi square, which in recent weeks had been the site of carnival-like demonstrations by hundreds of thousands of protesters calling for the downfall of President Assad’s regime. Activists reported a new military push into the city early in the day, with fresh explosions, fierce shelling by tanks and machine gun fire heard in many parts of the city. Clouds of smoke hung over many of its rickety apartment buildings. “We are being subjected to shelling, machine gun fire, sniper fire, everything you can think of,” said activist Omar Hamawi. Activists and residents said military sweeps, raids and door-to-door arrests also continued in many parts of the country. About 1,700 civilians have been killed since the largely peaceful protests against Assad’s regime began in mid-March, according to tallies by activists. Syria Bashar Al-Assad Lebanon Middle East Arab and Middle East unrest United Nations Protest guardian.co.uk

Posted by on August 3, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.