Syria opposition seek foreign intervention

13 Jul 2012, 8:30 pm   -   Source: AAP

The Syrian opposition has again urged world powers to act to stop government violence against civilians.

Syria's opposition has urged world powers 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 on Thursday.

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

"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 Syrian allies Russia and China are opposed to a push by other countries for a resolution imposing sanctions on Assad and threatening the use of military force if he does not stop the violence.

Russia and China, Syria's main allies, have twice blocked a toughly worded resolution drafted by the US and European Union powers and their Arab allies.

Russia has indicated it will block a new resolution calling for tougher sanctions.

Activists said more than 200 people, mostly civilians, were killed on Thursday when Syrian government forces shelled Treimsa before pro-government paramilitaries stormed the village and executed civilians.

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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