Syria unrest: UN condemns government crackdown

It is the first clear condemnation issued by the Security Council, which includes longstanding allies of Syria such as Russia.The UN Security Council has condemned the Syrian government for a deadly crackdown on protesters.It comes as the Syrian army attacks Hama, a centre of opposition protest, with reports of much loss of life.It was adopted over the fears of some members that any action could lead to Libya-style intervention.Dozens of people are believed to have been killed in the action against Hama, with residents saying tanks have now shot their way into Assi (Orontes) Square, in the centre of the city of 800,000 people.Human rights groups say at least 140 people have been killed in the Syrian unrest since Sunday, mainly in Hama, adding to a civilian death toll believed to be more than 1,600 since March.In Wednesday's statement, the council says it "condemns the widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities".
European members of the 15-nation council had pushed for a strong resolution condemning the Syrian government and calling for a rights inquiry.The statement said those responsible for the violence should be held accountable.The BBC's correspondent at the UN in New York, Barbara Plett, says the statement is less than what the European states on the council would have liked, but more than might have been expected given the strong opposition from some members to saying anything on Syria.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."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.