Opposition Urges Protests outside All Syrian Embassies

The opposition Syrian National Council on Monday urged Syrians around the world to hold protests outside their embassies, accusing the regime of "genocide" in Homs.

"We call on everyone to surround Syrian embassies and stage sit-ins outside them," the SNC said in a statement received by Agence France Presse.

"We call on them to reveal the crimes committed by these embassies against Syrians and their rights," it said.

"The policy of restraint is no longer effective when faced with a barbaric regime determined to exterminate the Syrian people."

The SNC said the Syrian people tried in vain to find political solutions to end the regime's nearly 11-month crackdown on democracy protesters.

"The barbaric regime is increasing the pace of its crime and repression against our people," it said.

The SNC described the violence in the central protest hub of Homs as "genocide" and urged Syrian people inside the country to unite their ranks and stage nationwide protests in support of the city.

The statement came as activists said another 47 people died on Monday, more than half of them in Homs which the SNC says is surrounded by army tanks ahead of a "major offensive."

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that at least 29 people were killed in Homs, and warned the toll could rise as many of the dozens of wounded were in critical condition.

Opposition groups and activists had said at the weekend that at least 200 civilians were killed in a "massacre" in Homs on Friday night when regime forces pounded rebel neighborhoods of the city with tanks and mortars.

Damascus has blamed the unrest in Homs on "terrorist gangs."

The SNC called on Syrians around the world to help channel humanitarian aid to cities and towns under siege by regime forces.