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Syria conflict: US condemns siege of Qusair Syria conflict: US condemns siege of Qusair
(35 minutes later)
The US has condemned the Syrian military's attack on Qusair, a strategic town over which it gained control after a bloody siege.The US has condemned the Syrian military's attack on Qusair, a strategic town over which it gained control after a bloody siege.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said pro-government forces had clearly needed help from their "partners in tyranny" - Hezbollah and Iran.White House spokesman Jay Carney said pro-government forces had clearly needed help from their "partners in tyranny" - Hezbollah and Iran.
A BBC team that visited Qusair found that it was in ruins.A BBC team that visited Qusair found that it was in ruins.
Meanwhile, France said growing proof of chemical weapons use in Syria "obliges the international community to act".Meanwhile, France said growing proof of chemical weapons use in Syria "obliges the international community to act".
However, President Francois Hollande cautioned: "We can only act within the framework of international law".However, President Francois Hollande cautioned: "We can only act within the framework of international law".
He spoke hours after Syrian government forces retook full control of Qusair, after fierce fighting lasting some three weeks.He spoke hours after Syrian government forces retook full control of Qusair, after fierce fighting lasting some three weeks.
A team from the BBC were the first Western journalists to reach the city, and said they did not see a single building that had escaped damage.A team from the BBC were the first Western journalists to reach the city, and said they did not see a single building that had escaped damage.
Meanwhile, the US and Russia have failed to set a date for proposed peace talks. More than 80,000 people have been killed in Syria and more than 1.5 million have fled the country since an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in 2011, according to UN estimates.
International efforts to resolve the conflict continue, but the US and Russia have failed to set a date for proposed peace talks.
The UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, said the international conference might now be held in July, rather than June as had been planned.The UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, said the international conference might now be held in July, rather than June as had been planned.
He called the lack of agreement between Washington and Moscow "embarrassing", but also noted that neither side in the Syrian conflict was ready to commit to attending.He called the lack of agreement between Washington and Moscow "embarrassing", but also noted that neither side in the Syrian conflict was ready to commit to attending.
More than 80,000 people have been killed in Syria and more than 1.5 million have fled the country since an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in 2011, according to UN estimates.
Humanitarian concernHumanitarian concern
Qusair lies only 10km (6 miles) from the Lebanese border and is close to important supply routes for both the government and rebels.Qusair lies only 10km (6 miles) from the Lebanese border and is close to important supply routes for both the government and rebels.
It had been the focus of fighting between rebels and troops backed by a pro-government militia and fighters from Hezbollah, the militant Lebanese Shia Islamist group allied with Iran.It had been the focus of fighting between rebels and troops backed by a pro-government militia and fighters from Hezbollah, the militant Lebanese Shia Islamist group allied with Iran.
Syrian state TV reported on Wednesday that a large number of rebels had died and many others had surrendered as troops advanced swiftly.Syrian state TV reported on Wednesday that a large number of rebels had died and many others had surrendered as troops advanced swiftly.
The rebels said they withdrew overnight in the face of a massive assault.The rebels said they withdrew overnight in the face of a massive assault.
The previously bustling town where 30,000 people once lived is now all but deserted by civilians, reports the BBC's Lyse Doucet, who was taken to Qusair by the Syrian government.The previously bustling town where 30,000 people once lived is now all but deserted by civilians, reports the BBC's Lyse Doucet, who was taken to Qusair by the Syrian government.
She adds that both Syrian troops and Hezbollah fighters are in evidence everywhere - travelling in trucks and armoured vehicles, firing guns in celebration and moving on foot through the streets.She adds that both Syrian troops and Hezbollah fighters are in evidence everywhere - travelling in trucks and armoured vehicles, firing guns in celebration and moving on foot through the streets.
In Washington, Mr Carney said: "We remain very concerned, and we condemn in the strongest possible terms the Assad regime's assault on Qusair.In Washington, Mr Carney said: "We remain very concerned, and we condemn in the strongest possible terms the Assad regime's assault on Qusair.
"It is clear that the regime is unable to contest the opposition's control of a place like Qusair on their own, and that is why they are dependent on Hezbollah and Iran to do their work for them.""It is clear that the regime is unable to contest the opposition's control of a place like Qusair on their own, and that is why they are dependent on Hezbollah and Iran to do their work for them."
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said it fears there are shortages of food, water and medical supplies in Qusair.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said it fears there are shortages of food, water and medical supplies in Qusair.
George Sabra, the interim chairman of the main opposition alliance, the National Coalition, said there were hundreds of injured people awaiting help in the Qusair area and called on the Red Cross to be allowed access.George Sabra, the interim chairman of the main opposition alliance, the National Coalition, said there were hundreds of injured people awaiting help in the Qusair area and called on the Red Cross to be allowed access.
Correspondents say the battle for Qusair has highlighted Hezbollah's growing role in the Syrian conflict - a development that has heightened sectarian tensions in the wider region.Correspondents say the battle for Qusair has highlighted Hezbollah's growing role in the Syrian conflict - a development that has heightened sectarian tensions in the wider region.
Late on Wednesday Lebanese media said that several rockets had landed in the Hezbollah stronghold of Baalbek inside Lebanon. Earlier this week, the leader of the main umbrella of rebel forces said his men were ready to fight inside Lebanon.Late on Wednesday Lebanese media said that several rockets had landed in the Hezbollah stronghold of Baalbek inside Lebanon. Earlier this week, the leader of the main umbrella of rebel forces said his men were ready to fight inside Lebanon.
Sarin 'used'Sarin 'used'
In Paris, Mr Hollande told reporters: "We have the elements which now allow us to give certainty over the use of chemical weapons in Syria - at what level we still do not know.In Paris, Mr Hollande told reporters: "We have the elements which now allow us to give certainty over the use of chemical weapons in Syria - at what level we still do not know.
"What has happened in Syria must be one more piece of pressure that can be put on the Syrian regime and its allies.""What has happened in Syria must be one more piece of pressure that can be put on the Syrian regime and its allies."
His comments followed those of French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who revealed on Tuesday that samples taken from locations of alleged chemical weapon attacks in Syria, including Saraqeb and Jobar, and brought to France had tested positive for the nerve agent, sarin.His comments followed those of French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who revealed on Tuesday that samples taken from locations of alleged chemical weapon attacks in Syria, including Saraqeb and Jobar, and brought to France had tested positive for the nerve agent, sarin.
Mr Fabius said he had "no doubt" that sarin had been used by "the Syrian regime and its accomplices", but did not specify instances of its use. The US says more proof is needed.Mr Fabius said he had "no doubt" that sarin had been used by "the Syrian regime and its accomplices", but did not specify instances of its use. The US says more proof is needed.
The Syrian government has repeatedly denied using chemical weapons, and has in turn accused the rebels of doing so, an allegation that they have also rejected.The Syrian government has repeatedly denied using chemical weapons, and has in turn accused the rebels of doing so, an allegation that they have also rejected.