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Syria massacre: Rebels share blame, says Russia's Lavrov Syria massacre: Rebels share blame, says Russia's Lavrov
(40 minutes later)
Rebels in Syria are partly responsible for the massacre of more than 100 people in the town of Houla, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says.Rebels in Syria are partly responsible for the massacre of more than 100 people in the town of Houla, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says.
Mr Lavrov, whose government a close ally of the Syrian regime, said some victims had been killed at close range in a district controlled by rebels.Mr Lavrov, whose government a close ally of the Syrian regime, said some victims had been killed at close range in a district controlled by rebels.
The UN condemned the killings, saying government artillery was involved.The UN condemned the killings, saying government artillery was involved.
UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan has arrived in Damascus for talks on implementing his peace plan.UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan has arrived in Damascus for talks on implementing his peace plan.
He called on "every individual with a gun" to lay down their arms.He called on "every individual with a gun" to lay down their arms.
"I have come to Syria at a critical moment in this crisis," Mr Annan said shortly after his arrival."I have come to Syria at a critical moment in this crisis," Mr Annan said shortly after his arrival.
"I am personally shocked and horrified by the tragic incident in Houla." "I am personally shocked and horrified by the tragic incident in Houla.
At a joint news conference with UK counterpart William Hague in Moscow, Mr Lavrov said that Russia was "deeply alarmed" by the massacre in Houla.At a joint news conference with UK counterpart William Hague in Moscow, Mr Lavrov said that Russia was "deeply alarmed" by the massacre in Houla.
"We are dealing with a situation in which both sides evidently had a hand in the deaths of innocent people," he said."We are dealing with a situation in which both sides evidently had a hand in the deaths of innocent people," he said.
Russia is the key external actor in this drama. It maintains close political, military and economic ties with the Syrian regime.Russia is the key external actor in this drama. It maintains close political, military and economic ties with the Syrian regime.
With Washington increasingly talking about a Yemen-style transition in the country, Moscow's voice and inside knowledge could be even more important.With Washington increasingly talking about a Yemen-style transition in the country, Moscow's voice and inside knowledge could be even more important.
The problem is that the UN and the wider international community have no alternative: no "Plan B".The problem is that the UN and the wider international community have no alternative: no "Plan B".
There is absolutely no appetite for military intervention at this stage.There is absolutely no appetite for military intervention at this stage.
President Assad is effectively being asked to step aside and this he is not prepared to do. As the bloodshed and frustration continue the likelihood is that the country may descend further into a brutal civil war.President Assad is effectively being asked to step aside and this he is not prepared to do. As the bloodshed and frustration continue the likelihood is that the country may descend further into a brutal civil war.
And there is every sign that those countries in the Gulf which see the only option as arming the Syrian opposition are already re-doubling their efforts.And there is every sign that those countries in the Gulf which see the only option as arming the Syrian opposition are already re-doubling their efforts.
"There is no doubt that the government used artillery and tanks and this has been reported by UN observers who have visited the scene."There is no doubt that the government used artillery and tanks and this has been reported by UN observers who have visited the scene.
"There is also no doubt that many bodies have been found with injuries from firearms received at point-blank range. So the blame must be determined objectively.""There is also no doubt that many bodies have been found with injuries from firearms received at point-blank range. So the blame must be determined objectively."
He said the causes of the massacre must be understand so that it could never be repeated.He said the causes of the massacre must be understand so that it could never be repeated.
Asked if President Bashar al-Assad could be part of the solution in Syria, he said that ending the violence was more important than who was in power.Asked if President Bashar al-Assad could be part of the solution in Syria, he said that ending the violence was more important than who was in power.
"We do not support the Syrian government. We support the plan of Kofi Annan," he said."We do not support the Syrian government. We support the plan of Kofi Annan," he said.
The Syrian government insists the killings were carried out by "terrorists".The Syrian government insists the killings were carried out by "terrorists".
Russia is the Syrian regime's only major foreign ally.Russia is the Syrian regime's only major foreign ally.
Russian diplomats, along with the Chinese, have previously vetoed action proposed by the Security Council.Russian diplomats, along with the Chinese, have previously vetoed action proposed by the Security Council.
On Monday, China also condemned the "cruel killings" but did not apportion blame to either side.On Monday, China also condemned the "cruel killings" but did not apportion blame to either side.
Mr Hague renewed Britain's call for Mr Assad to comply with Mr Annan's peace plan, warning of "ever increasing chaos".Mr Hague renewed Britain's call for Mr Assad to comply with Mr Annan's peace plan, warning of "ever increasing chaos".
Forty-nine children and 34 women were among Friday's dead, the UN has confirmed.Forty-nine children and 34 women were among Friday's dead, the UN has confirmed.
The BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon say there is no sign that the Syrian government's behaviour on the ground has changed as a result of the Houla massacre.The BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon say there is no sign that the Syrian government's behaviour on the ground has changed as a result of the Houla massacre.
Fighting in Syria has continued despite the deployment of some 280 UN observers monitoring the ceasefire brokered by Mr Annan.Fighting in Syria has continued despite the deployment of some 280 UN observers monitoring the ceasefire brokered by Mr Annan.
Opposition activists said at least 30 people were killed on Sunday when the army shelled the central city of Hama. The reports cannot be independently verified.Opposition activists said at least 30 people were killed on Sunday when the army shelled the central city of Hama. The reports cannot be independently verified.
On Sunday the Security Council unanimously adopted the non-binding statement calling for the Syrian government to withdraw its heavy weaponry from residential areas and return them to barracks.On Sunday the Security Council unanimously adopted the non-binding statement calling for the Syrian government to withdraw its heavy weaponry from residential areas and return them to barracks.
The statement also condemned the Houla killings, saying they involved both government artillery and gunfire at close range.The statement also condemned the Houla killings, saying they involved both government artillery and gunfire at close range.
Syria's UN ambassador, Bashar Ja'afari, accused some members of the council of trying to mislead the world.Syria's UN ambassador, Bashar Ja'afari, accused some members of the council of trying to mislead the world.
"Neither [UN observer mission head Maj Gen Robert] Mood nor anybody else told the Security Council in the informal session that he would blame the Syrian government forces for what happened," he said."Neither [UN observer mission head Maj Gen Robert] Mood nor anybody else told the Security Council in the informal session that he would blame the Syrian government forces for what happened," he said.
Gen Mood told the BBC that UN monitors were continuing their investigations in Houla.Gen Mood told the BBC that UN monitors were continuing their investigations in Houla.
Mr Annan arrived in Damascus on Monday and will hold talks with President Assad on Tuesday.Mr Annan arrived in Damascus on Monday and will hold talks with President Assad on Tuesday.
Under Mr Annan's plan, both sides were to stop fighting on 12 April ahead of the deployment of monitors, while the government was to withdraw tanks and forces from civilian areas.Under Mr Annan's plan, both sides were to stop fighting on 12 April ahead of the deployment of monitors, while the government was to withdraw tanks and forces from civilian areas.
The unrest in Syria has killed at least 10,000 people since protests against President Assad broke out in March 2011.The unrest in Syria has killed at least 10,000 people since protests against President Assad broke out in March 2011.