Hague backs UN condemnation of Syria
Foreign Secretary William Hague calls on the Syrian regime to stop its violent crackdown on protesters after a UN Security Council statement condemning attacks on civilians.
Fourteen members of the council criticised “widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities”.
And Mr Hague followed suit, saying: “I welcome the UN Security Council presidential statement on Syria.
“The support for this statement throughout the security council demonstrates the rising international concern at the unacceptable behaviour of the regime and shows that President Assad is increasingly isolated. It comes on top of a fourth round of EU sanctions put in place earlier this week.
“As I have made clear, it is vital that the violence and repression by the Syrian regime stops. The Syrian people are calling for peaceful change. I call on President Assad’s regime to end its violence and to allow genuine political reform.
“Until it does, the regime will be discredited amongst its own people and facing increased pressure internationally.”
Troops and tanks were deployed to the besieged city of Hama at the weekend, with casualties reported to be mounting rapidly – increasing pressure on the 15 members of the Security Council to issue a condemnation of the regime’s actions.
Russia, China, India, Brazil and South Africa had been resisting the move.