260 Civilians Killed in Homs 'Massacre' Ahead of U.N. Vote
Syria's army randomly bombarded the protest hub of Homs early on Saturday, killing at least 260 civilians in one of the "most horrific massacres" in the country's uprising, an opposition group said.
In a statement, the Syrian National Council also called on the world to act, and demanded that Russia change its position, condemn President Bashar Assad's regime and allow democracy.
"In the early morning hours of Saturday, Jan. 4, 2012, the Assad regime committed one of the most horrific massacres since the beginning of the uprising in Syria" in March last year, said the SNC.
"Assad forces randomly bombed residential areas in Homs, including Khaldiyeh and Qusur, which resulted in at least 260 civilians killed and hundreds of wounded, including men, women, and children.
"The Syrian National Council calls on everyone around the world to speak up and do something to stop the bloodshed of innocent Syrians," it said in the statement.
"The SNC demands that Russia change its position regarding the Syrian regime's massacres.
"The SNC also demands that Russia clearly condemn the regime and hold it responsible for the massacres, to stop the killing in Syria, and allow Syrians to democratically elect a regime that ensures freedom and dignity for all Syrians," it concluded.
News of the latest deaths came as a diplomat in New York said members of the U.N. Security Council would meet Saturday morning for a vote on a resolution condemning the violent repression in Syria.
The text is the same as a draft resolution sent to the council's 15 members on Thursday.
It highlights the U.N. body's support for an Arab League plan for a democratic transition while leaving out explicit references to calls for Assad to step down, the diplomat said Friday.
The resolution faces an uncertain fate, as Moscow had maintained its opposition to a tougher draft resolution authored by Western powers and the Arab League.
The Security Council has yet to adopt a resolution on Syria despite the 10 months of violence that has left more than 6,000 people dead, rights groups estimate. An earlier draft was blocked in October by China and Russia.
Source: Agence France Presse
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