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Syria massacre: UN in second bid to reach Qubair Syria massacre: UN team reaches Qubair village
(40 minutes later)
UN monitors are making a second attempt to reach a village in Syria's Hama province where a massacre took place. UN monitors have reached a village in Syria's Hama province where a massacre took place on Wednesday, says a BBC reporter travelling with the team.
The observers, who were fired at near to Qubair village on Thursday, left in convoy from Damascus and are now close to the village. The observers, who were fired at near Qubair village on Thursday, arrived in a convoy from Damascus.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the massacre, warning of an imminent danger of civil war. Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the massacre, warning of an imminent danger of civil war.
Activists say government-backed militia killed 78 people in Qubair, but the regime says terrorists are responsible.Activists say government-backed militia killed 78 people in Qubair, but the regime says terrorists are responsible.
Syrian state TV described the incident as a massacre, but reported nine people killed.Syrian state TV described the incident as a massacre, but reported nine people killed.
The reports, which include footage of dead women and children, accused terrorists of staging the killings to prompt international intervention.The reports, which include footage of dead women and children, accused terrorists of staging the killings to prompt international intervention.
The activists say government forces removed many of the bodies while the UN observers were trying to get to the village on Thursday.The activists say government forces removed many of the bodies while the UN observers were trying to get to the village on Thursday.
The BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon says the need for the observers to find out what actually happened at Qubair is made all the more acute by the fact that there are two completely contradictory accounts of what happened. The BBC's Paul Danahar, travelling with the UN monitors, says the team is now checking the safety situation before the rest of the observers enter the village.
Western media organisations are restricted in Syria, making it difficult to verify the claims of either side.
Lebanon precedent fearedLebanon precedent feared
Our correspondent says the major fear is that Syria falls victim to the kind of sectarian violence that tore Lebanon apart for decades. Analysts say the major fear is that Syria falls victim to the kind of sectarian violence that tore Lebanon apart for decades.
The militiamen accused of the killings are known as shabiha, and are from the minority Alawite sect of President Bashar al-Assad.The militiamen accused of the killings are known as shabiha, and are from the minority Alawite sect of President Bashar al-Assad.
There are about six monitors in a couple of UN vehicles. They will try to find bodies, record the numbers of dead and get some eyewitness testimony. But it is two days after the incident. Villagers will be very scared because, when the UN leaves, they have to live among people who may have carried out this attack.There are about six monitors in a couple of UN vehicles. They will try to find bodies, record the numbers of dead and get some eyewitness testimony. But it is two days after the incident. Villagers will be very scared because, when the UN leaves, they have to live among people who may have carried out this attack.
The UN monitors are unarmed in a very dangerous conflict, and are clearly pushing at the limits. They were leaving the area near Qubair on Thursday when shots were fired. Two small rounds hit their vehicle.The UN monitors are unarmed in a very dangerous conflict, and are clearly pushing at the limits. They were leaving the area near Qubair on Thursday when shots were fired. Two small rounds hit their vehicle.
What's clear amid the discussions over a new plan for Syria is that the status quo is dangerous for everyone involved. It's not working and it isn't helping to stop this country from sliding into a sectarian civil war.What's clear amid the discussions over a new plan for Syria is that the status quo is dangerous for everyone involved. It's not working and it isn't helping to stop this country from sliding into a sectarian civil war.
The victims appear to be mostly Sunni, who make up the majority of the population.The victims appear to be mostly Sunni, who make up the majority of the population.
Mr Ban warned late on Thursday that the danger of full-scale war was "imminent and real".Mr Ban warned late on Thursday that the danger of full-scale war was "imminent and real".
Mr Ban told a joint news conference with peace envoy Kofi Annan and Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi that reports from Qubair "underscore the horrifying reality on the ground".Mr Ban told a joint news conference with peace envoy Kofi Annan and Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi that reports from Qubair "underscore the horrifying reality on the ground".
"How many more times have we to condemn them, and how many ways must we say that we are outraged? The Syrian people are bleeding," he said."How many more times have we to condemn them, and how many ways must we say that we are outraged? The Syrian people are bleeding," he said.
And while reiterating that Mr Annan's six-point peace plan remained "at the centre of our focus", he said urgent talks were needed to discuss how to proceed further.And while reiterating that Mr Annan's six-point peace plan remained "at the centre of our focus", he said urgent talks were needed to discuss how to proceed further.
The US is demanding decisive action, and Mr Annan is now pushing for a contact group of key nations to raise pressure for an end to the violence.The US is demanding decisive action, and Mr Annan is now pushing for a contact group of key nations to raise pressure for an end to the violence.
But in a news conference in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin refused to answer repeated questions about whether his government would support the initiative.But in a news conference in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin refused to answer repeated questions about whether his government would support the initiative.
"We believe that the importance of envoy Annan's mediation efforts has not diminished but rather increased," he said."We believe that the importance of envoy Annan's mediation efforts has not diminished but rather increased," he said.
China and Russia have twice blocked Security Council resolutions against Syria.China and Russia have twice blocked Security Council resolutions against Syria.
Russia is a long-standing ally of the Damascus regime, while China has repeatedly stated its opposition to foreign intervention in internal conflicts.Russia is a long-standing ally of the Damascus regime, while China has repeatedly stated its opposition to foreign intervention in internal conflicts.
Meanwhile, violence is continuing across Syria.Meanwhile, violence is continuing across Syria.
On Friday, activists said government forces had resumed shelling the city of Homs, where they were engaged in a battle to try to retake districts controlled by rebels.On Friday, activists said government forces had resumed shelling the city of Homs, where they were engaged in a battle to try to retake districts controlled by rebels.
About 200 people said to have died on Wednesday and Thursday this week.About 200 people said to have died on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
The UN says at least 9,000 people have died since pro-democracy protests began in March 2011. In April, the Syrian government reported that 6,143 Syrian citizens had been killed by "terrorist groups".The UN says at least 9,000 people have died since pro-democracy protests began in March 2011. In April, the Syrian government reported that 6,143 Syrian citizens had been killed by "terrorist groups".
The UN has 297 unarmed observers in Syria to verify the implementation of Mr Annan's six-point plan. It includes a ceasefire, which was supposed to have taken effect in mid-April.The UN has 297 unarmed observers in Syria to verify the implementation of Mr Annan's six-point plan. It includes a ceasefire, which was supposed to have taken effect in mid-April.