Carr says 'vital' Russia supports Syria sanctions

Foreign Minister Bob Carr says it's vital that Russia support sanctions against the Syrian regime, following the Houla massacre in which 108 people died. 

Foreign Minister Bob Carr says the United Nations faces an enormously difficult challenge in Syria amid the fallout from the Houla massacre in which at least 108 people were killed.

Dateline: Helping Hands

Senator Carr's comments coincided with the UN Security Council's condemnation of the Syrian government "in the strongest possible terms" for the attacks, in which many children died.

A statement agreed by the 15-nation council, including Syrian ally Russia, said the attacks "involved a series of government artillery and tank shellings on a residential neighbourhood".

It repeated a demand that President Bashar al-Assad withdraw heavy weapons from Syrian towns.

The UN has a team in Syria monitoring the implementation a six-point peace plan developed by UN-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan.

Senator Carr said it was vital that Russia support sanctions against the Syrian regime.

"To get the plan to work is the first challenge," Senator Carr told ABC Radio on Monday.

"This is enormously difficult given the character of the regime's response to everything that has evolved so far."