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Russia 'categorically against' Syria intervention Russia 'categorically against' Syria intervention
(40 minutes later)
Russia is "categorically against" foreign intervention in Syria and believes any new steps by the UN Security Council would be "premature", its deputy foreign minister has said.Russia is "categorically against" foreign intervention in Syria and believes any new steps by the UN Security Council would be "premature", its deputy foreign minister has said.
Russia wields a veto at the UN Security Council and the remarks are a blow to hopes of a fresh initiative there.Russia wields a veto at the UN Security Council and the remarks are a blow to hopes of a fresh initiative there.
International outrage has been expressed at the massacre of 108 people - mostly women and children - in Houla.International outrage has been expressed at the massacre of 108 people - mostly women and children - in Houla.
Neighbouring Turkey is expelling all Syrian diplomatic staff in Ankara.Neighbouring Turkey is expelling all Syrian diplomatic staff in Ankara.
The move goes further than the co-ordinated action by a number of other countries, which restricted their expulsions to the most senior staff, although Syrian consular staff in Istanbul will remain.The move goes further than the co-ordinated action by a number of other countries, which restricted their expulsions to the most senior staff, although Syrian consular staff in Istanbul will remain.
Turkey's foreign ministry said it was "out of the question to remain silent".Turkey's foreign ministry said it was "out of the question to remain silent".
In apparent retaliation for the diplomatic expulsions, Syria gave the Dutch charge d'affaires - one of the few remaining top-level Western diplomatic representatives in Damascus - 72 hours to leave.In apparent retaliation for the diplomatic expulsions, Syria gave the Dutch charge d'affaires - one of the few remaining top-level Western diplomatic representatives in Damascus - 72 hours to leave.
The violence in Syria is continuing, with the head of the UN observer mission there saying 13 bodies have been discovered in al-Sukar, east of the city of Deir al-Zour, with their hands tied behind their backs and signs that some had been shot in the head from close range.The violence in Syria is continuing, with the head of the UN observer mission there saying 13 bodies have been discovered in al-Sukar, east of the city of Deir al-Zour, with their hands tied behind their backs and signs that some had been shot in the head from close range.
Norwegian Maj Gen Robert Mood said he was "deeply disturbed by this appalling and inexcusable act".Norwegian Maj Gen Robert Mood said he was "deeply disturbed by this appalling and inexcusable act".
'Turning point''Turning point'
China and Russia have previously blocked two UN Security Council resolutions calling for tougher action on Damascus.China and Russia have previously blocked two UN Security Council resolutions calling for tougher action on Damascus.
On Tuesday, French President Francois Hollande said military intervention authorised by the Security Council had not yet been ruled out.On Tuesday, French President Francois Hollande said military intervention authorised by the Security Council had not yet been ruled out.
The US state department meanwhile expressed hope that the events in Houla might prove a "turning point in Russian thinking".The US state department meanwhile expressed hope that the events in Houla might prove a "turning point in Russian thinking".
And Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the massacre should "compel the world to take action - not just talk, but action".And Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the massacre should "compel the world to take action - not just talk, but action".
But on Wednesday Russia appeared to rule out a shift in stance.But on Wednesday Russia appeared to rule out a shift in stance.
"We have always said that we are categorically against any outside interference in the Syrian conflict because this will only exacerbate the situation for both Syria and the region as a whole," Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told Interfax news agency."We have always said that we are categorically against any outside interference in the Syrian conflict because this will only exacerbate the situation for both Syria and the region as a whole," Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told Interfax news agency.
A spokesman for China's foreign ministry also reiterated Beijing's opposition to military intervention in Syria or forced "regime change".A spokesman for China's foreign ministry also reiterated Beijing's opposition to military intervention in Syria or forced "regime change".
Moscow's stance was condemned by the main Syrian opposition group, the Syrian National Council, which said Russia had chosen "to join ranks with the Syrian regime and to provide it with political cover", AFP news agency reported.Moscow's stance was condemned by the main Syrian opposition group, the Syrian National Council, which said Russia had chosen "to join ranks with the Syrian regime and to provide it with political cover", AFP news agency reported.
As well as the discovery of bodies in Deir al-Zour, there were reports of shelling by security forces in Homs and villages nearby. Aside from the discovery of the bodies in Deir al-Zour, Syrian activists said at least nine people had died on Wednesday.
Troops were also reported to have entered Bab al-Sabaa, and overnight activists said five people were killed by shells and gunfire in a Damascus suburb. There were reports of shelling by security forces in Homs and villages nearby.
Clashes between security forces and the rebel Free Syrian Army were also reported in the suburb of al-Sabina, to the south. Overnight, activists said five people were killed by shells and gunfire in Douma, a Damascus suburb.
'Bloodshed and division''Bloodshed and division'
Troops, tanks and artillery were all supposed to have been withdrawn to barracks in April as the first step on the ground under six-point peace plan of UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan.Troops, tanks and artillery were all supposed to have been withdrawn to barracks in April as the first step on the ground under six-point peace plan of UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan.
But it simply has not happened, says the BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon.But it simply has not happened, says the BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon.
Amid the reports of continuing violence, it appears Mr Annan's talks with President Bashar al-Assad and opposition figures in Damascus on Tuesday have had no immediate impact on the ground.Amid the reports of continuing violence, it appears Mr Annan's talks with President Bashar al-Assad and opposition figures in Damascus on Tuesday have had no immediate impact on the ground.
Mr Annan's deputy, Jean-Marie Guehenno, is due to report to the UN Security Council on Wednesday on the talks with Mr Assad.Mr Annan's deputy, Jean-Marie Guehenno, is due to report to the UN Security Council on Wednesday on the talks with Mr Assad.
Tuesday's co-ordinated action saw the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Australia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Japan and Turkey either expel Syrian ambassadors and officials or declare them a "persona non grata".Tuesday's co-ordinated action saw the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Australia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Japan and Turkey either expel Syrian ambassadors and officials or declare them a "persona non grata".
Turkey warned it could follow the expulsions with additional measures if Damascus did not change course, though it did not elaborate.Turkey warned it could follow the expulsions with additional measures if Damascus did not change course, though it did not elaborate.
Syria's state-run media has denounced the expulsions as "unprecedented hysteria". Syria's state-run media has denounced the expulsions as "unprecedented hysteria", while Russia called them a "counterproductive step".
Forty-nine children and 34 women were among those killed in Houla last Friday and Saturday.Forty-nine children and 34 women were among those killed in Houla last Friday and Saturday.
Witnesses have told the UN the vast majority of killings were committed by pro-government shabiha militiamen.Witnesses have told the UN the vast majority of killings were committed by pro-government shabiha militiamen.
The UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session on Syria on Friday looking into the killings, officials said.The UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session on Syria on Friday looking into the killings, officials said.
Are you in Houla, or elsewhere in Syria? Have you been affected by the recent violence? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Houla, or elsewhere in Syria? Have you been affected by the recent violence? Send us your comments using the form below.
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