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Syria Unrest: UN Condemns Government Crackdown
BBC NEWS, MIDDLE EAST
August 4, 2011: The UN Security Council has condemned the Syrian government for its deadly crackdown on protesters. It is the first clear condemnation issued by the Security Council, which includes longstanding allies of Syria such as Russia. The statement was adopted over the fears of some members that any action could lead to Libya-style intervention.
It comes as the Syrian army attacks Hama, a centre of opposition protest, with reports of much loss of life. Dozens of people are believed to have been killed in the action against Hama, with residents saying tanks have shot their way into Assi (Orontes) Square, in the centre of the city of 800,000 people.
In Wednesday's statement, the council said it "condemns the widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities". It says those responsible for the violence should be held accountable.
European members of the 15-nation council had pushed for a strong resolution condemning the Syrian government and calling for a rights inquiry. The BBC's correspondent at the UN in New York, Barbara Plett, says the statement is weaker than what the European states wanted, but stronger than might have been expected given the opposition from some members to saying anything on Syria.
The statement stressed that the only solution to the crisis was a Syrian-led political process, in effect ruling out outside intervention, says our UN correspondent. It also called for "an immediate end to all violence and urges all sides to act with utmost restraint, and to refrain from reprisals, including attacks against state institutions."
Observers say the phrase is a concession to Russia and other governments that said they wanted a balanced statement that placed some blame with both sides. Syria's neighbor, Lebanon, while not blocking the statement, disassociated itself from the text after it was adopted - a procedure last used decades ago.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the statement represented "the clear message of the international community" to Mr Assad. "The world has watched the deteriorating situation in Syria with the most profound concern. But the events of the past few days have been brutally shocking," Mr Ban said. "Just continuing like this is not sustainable. He cannot and they cannot carry on like this, killing their people."
