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Syria crisis: Fighting rages ahead of UN Assembly vote Syria crisis: Fighting rages ahead of UN Assembly vote
(40 minutes later)
There has been renewed fighting in Syria ahead of a UN General Assembly vote condemning its own Security Council for failing to end the unrest.There has been renewed fighting in Syria ahead of a UN General Assembly vote condemning its own Security Council for failing to end the unrest.
The army has been shelling rebel positions in the largest city, Aleppo. There was also bloodshed in Hama and the capital, Damascus.The army has been shelling rebel positions in the largest city, Aleppo. There was also bloodshed in Hama and the capital, Damascus.
The aim of the UN resolution is to pressure the Security Council to act.The aim of the UN resolution is to pressure the Security Council to act.
It follows the resignation of UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan and the failure of his six-point peace plan.It follows the resignation of UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan and the failure of his six-point peace plan.
Correspondents say this is a clear recognition that the political process has failed.Correspondents say this is a clear recognition that the political process has failed.
Activists say more than 20,000 people - mostly unarmed civilians - have died in 17 months of unrest.
'Build-up''Build-up'
Fighting is continuing in Aleppo, where government forces have been trying to reclaim areas seized by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in the past two weeks.Fighting is continuing in Aleppo, where government forces have been trying to reclaim areas seized by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in the past two weeks.
On Friday, the FSA said it had taken 50% of the city. The claim could not be independently verified. On Friday, the FSA said it had taken 50% of the city of more than two million people. The claim could not be independently verified.
UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous told the Security Council that UN observers in Aleppo were seeing "a considerable build-up of military means, where we have reason to believe that the main battle is about to start".UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous told the Security Council that UN observers in Aleppo were seeing "a considerable build-up of military means, where we have reason to believe that the main battle is about to start".
One FSA fighter, Thoebah Knafane, told BBC News that winning Aleppo would "open the whole northern part of Syria" for the opposition.
Fighters, she said, were being trained in both Syria and Turkey and she personally had been instructed in using an M16 assault rifle and a pistol.
Activists say 170 people died across the country on Thursday - including dozens in Hama, to the south of Aleppo.Activists say 170 people died across the country on Thursday - including dozens in Hama, to the south of Aleppo.
At least 15 people were reported killed when mortars hit a Palestinian refugee camp at Yarmouk, on the southern edge of the capital, Damascus, late on Thursday. Both sides blamed one another for the incident. At least 15 people were reported killed when mortars hit a Palestinian refugee camp at Yarmouk, near Damascus, late on Thursday.
The shelling spilled over from neighbouring areas where government troops have been battling to dislodge rebels. Hamas, the Palestinian group in power in the Gaza Strip, described the attack as a heinous crime - the Syrian government and rebels blamed one another.
Activists say more than 20,000 people - mostly unarmed civilians - have died in 17 months of unrest. The FSA has issued a statement denying responsibility for the public killing of alleged government loyalists in Aleppo on Tuesday and condemning the shootings, video of which was posted online.
"These reprehensible acts do not conform with the ethics of the FSA or the Syrian revolution," it said.
Russia's defence ministry appears to have denied reports that it is sending three naval landing ships to its base in the Syrian port of Tartus.Russia's defence ministry appears to have denied reports that it is sending three naval landing ships to its base in the Syrian port of Tartus.
The denial was carried by Russian news agency Ria-Novosti but not, immediately, by fellow news agencies Interfax and Itar-Tass, which carried the earlier report, quoting an unnamed general staff source. However, its statement, which was carried by Russian news agency Ria-Novosti, confirmed that a Russian naval group was going to the Mediterranean for combat training. It added that the navy had "every right" to stop at Tartus for supplies.
Some 30,000 Russian citizens live in Syria, according to reports in the New York Times and Financial Times.
Text 'toned down'Text 'toned down'
Russia and China have blocked attempts in the UN Security Council to impose sanctions against Damascus.Russia and China have blocked attempts in the UN Security Council to impose sanctions against Damascus.
The proposed General Assembly resolution, which would not be legally binding, requires only a simple majority of the 193-member General Assembly to pass.The proposed General Assembly resolution, which would not be legally binding, requires only a simple majority of the 193-member General Assembly to pass.
Drafted by Saudi Arabia, which openly supports the armed rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad's rule, the text condemns the Syrian government's use of "heavy weapons" and its failure to withdraw forces from civilian areas, as demanded by Mr Annan's peace initiative.Drafted by Saudi Arabia, which openly supports the armed rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad's rule, the text condemns the Syrian government's use of "heavy weapons" and its failure to withdraw forces from civilian areas, as demanded by Mr Annan's peace initiative.
In an attempt to maximise votes, diplomats have toned down the wording of the text by dropping an explicit demand for President Assad to stand down, according to AFP.
France's UN ambassador, Gerard Araud, said the vote would show Russia and China were in a "tiny minority" at the UN General Assembly.
Russia and China have vetoed resolutions on the crisis three times, citing opposition to any action which might be seen as regime change imposed from outside.Russia and China have vetoed resolutions on the crisis three times, citing opposition to any action which might be seen as regime change imposed from outside.
Iran has accused unspecified "interfering countries" of causing the failure of Kofi Annan's mission.Iran has accused unspecified "interfering countries" of causing the failure of Kofi Annan's mission.
In another development, Alistair Burt, UK Foreign Office minister for the Middle East, confirmed to the BBC that the UK would be providing further communications equipment to the opposition in Syria in the next month.In another development, Alistair Burt, UK Foreign Office minister for the Middle East, confirmed to the BBC that the UK would be providing further communications equipment to the opposition in Syria in the next month.
"We're not in a position directly at the moment to say what that will be," he added.
US media say US President Barack Obama has signed a covert order authorising support for Syrian rebels.US media say US President Barack Obama has signed a covert order authorising support for Syrian rebels.
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