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UN confirms new killings in Syria days after Houla UN confirms new killings in Syria days after Houla
(40 minutes later)
Observers from the UN have confirmed the discovery of 13 shooting victims in Syria as international outrage continues after the Houla massacre.Observers from the UN have confirmed the discovery of 13 shooting victims in Syria as international outrage continues after the Houla massacre.
The men's bodies were found near the eastern city of Deir al-Zour, with their hands tied behind their backs, some apparently shot in the head.The men's bodies were found near the eastern city of Deir al-Zour, with their hands tied behind their backs, some apparently shot in the head.
UN mission chief Maj Gen Robert Mood said he was "deeply disturbed" by the "appalling and inexcusable act".UN mission chief Maj Gen Robert Mood said he was "deeply disturbed" by the "appalling and inexcusable act".
Hopes of a new initiative over Syria have been dented by Russia and China.Hopes of a new initiative over Syria have been dented by Russia and China.
A Russian minister ruled out any action by the UN Security Council soon, saying Moscow "categorically" opposed foreign intervention.A Russian minister ruled out any action by the UN Security Council soon, saying Moscow "categorically" opposed foreign intervention.
Turkey is expelling all Syrian diplomatic staff from Ankara, a day after a number of Western states announced a co-ordinated series of expulsions. Turkey is expelling all Syrian diplomatic staff from Ankara, a day after a number of Western states announced a co-ordinated series of expulsions in response to the killing of 108 people in Houla last week.
Thousands of people, perhaps as many as 15,000, have been killed since the revolt against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad began in March of last year. As many as 15,000 people have been killed since the revolt against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad began in March of last year.
One of the opposition organisations monitoring the violence, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported 39 new deaths in attacks across Syria on Wednesday. The figure, quoted by AFP news agency, included 15 government soldiers. One of the organisations monitoring the violence, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported 39 new deaths in attacks across Syria on Wednesday. The figure, quoted by AFP news agency, included 15 government soldiers.
Expulsions 'counterproductive'Expulsions 'counterproductive'
Gen Mood said the remains of the 13 men had been discovered on Tuesday night in al-Sukar, east of Deir al-Zour.Gen Mood said the remains of the 13 men had been discovered on Tuesday night in al-Sukar, east of Deir al-Zour.
"All the bodies had their hands tied behind their backs and some appear to have been shot in the head from a short distance," he said in a statement."All the bodies had their hands tied behind their backs and some appear to have been shot in the head from a short distance," he said in a statement.
He called on all parties to the Syrian conflict to "exercise restraint and end the cycle of violence for the sake of Syria and the Syrian people".He called on all parties to the Syrian conflict to "exercise restraint and end the cycle of violence for the sake of Syria and the Syrian people".
China and Russia, which both wield a veto at the UN Security Council, have blocked two previous resolutions calling for tougher action on Damascus.China and Russia, which both wield a veto at the UN Security Council, have blocked two previous resolutions calling for tougher action on Damascus.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said Moscow was "categorically against any outside interference in the Syrian conflict" because it would "only exacerbate the situation for both Syria and the region as a whole".Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said Moscow was "categorically against any outside interference in the Syrian conflict" because it would "only exacerbate the situation for both Syria and the region as a whole".
A spokesman for China's foreign ministry reiterated Beijing's opposition to military intervention in Syria or forced "regime change".A spokesman for China's foreign ministry reiterated Beijing's opposition to military intervention in Syria or forced "regime change".
Russia's foreign ministry added in a statement that the expulsion of Syrian diplomats from leading Western states seemed to be "counterproductive". "After all, vital [diplomatic] channels... end up being closed," it added.Russia's foreign ministry added in a statement that the expulsion of Syrian diplomats from leading Western states seemed to be "counterproductive". "After all, vital [diplomatic] channels... end up being closed," it added.
Turkey's move goes further than Tuesday's co-ordinated action by other states, which restricted their expulsions to the most senior staff. However, Syrian consular staff in Istanbul will remain.Turkey's move goes further than Tuesday's co-ordinated action by other states, which restricted their expulsions to the most senior staff. However, Syrian consular staff in Istanbul will remain.
In another development, Syria's honorary consul in California, Hazem Chehabi, resigned, saying he could not continue in his post after the "barbaric" massacre in Houla.In another development, Syria's honorary consul in California, Hazem Chehabi, resigned, saying he could not continue in his post after the "barbaric" massacre in Houla.
Children and womenChildren and women
Troops, tanks and artillery were all supposed to have been withdrawn to barracks in April as the first step on the ground under the 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 the 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, told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that direct talks between the Syrian opposition and the government were currently "impossible", according to a diplomat who spoke to Reuters news agency on condition of anonymity.
Forty-nine children and 34 women were among those killed in Houla last Friday and Saturday. Colonel Qassem Saadeddine, a rebel spokesman said to be currently inside the province of Homs, told AFP the government "only [understood] violence".
Forty-nine children and 34 women were among those killed in Houla, near Homs, 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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