West offers words, only, as Syria killing rages

Syrian government artillery barrages killed dozens of civilians in Homs on Thursday, activists said, as President Bashar al-Assad, bolstered by Russian support, ignored appeals from world leaders to halt the carnage.

The United Nations secretary-general condemned the “appalling brutality” (more…)

Prince Alwaleed: Syria May Have Reached ‘Point of No Return’

Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal said Syria may have reached a “point of no return” and criticized the blocking of a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a political transition.

The Feb. 4 veto by Russia and China “strengthened Bashar al-Assad in Syria and internationally,” Alwaleed, 56, said in an interview airing today on public television’s “Charlie Rose” program. The Syrian leader “can say, ‘Well, China and Russia is going to back me up,’ so why would he back off from what’s happening in Syria?” said Alwaleed. (more…)

Turkey seeks world action as Syria’s Homs bleeds

Syria’s army pounded the rebel city of Homs on Wednesday as Turkey sought international action to protect civilians from former ally President Bashar al-Assad, a move that risks the wrath of Russia and China. (more…)

Syrian opposition reject Assad’s call for dialogue

Syrian opposition leaders have rejected assurances from President Bashar al-Assad that he will cease his regime’s violent crackdown against demonstrators following talks with the Russian foreign minister.

During an emergency visit to Damascus, Sergei Lavrov received a promise from Assad (more…)

Opinion: Russia’s Potemkin democracy

I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or to cry when I heard that the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, had found a solution to the Syrian crisis. Speaking in Damascus on Tuesday, Lavrov declared that everything was fine:

Dozens dead as Syria regime pounds Homs: Activists

DAMASCUS: Syrian forces pressed a relentless assault on the protest city of Homs on Wednesday, with dozens of civilians reported killed, hours after President Bashar al-Assad said he was committed to ending the bloodshed.

The barrage of gunfire, mortars and shells was launched at daybreak and continued during the day. (more…)

Attacks in Syria’s Homs resume as protests sweep Sweidaa

Armored forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad thrust deeper into the central city of Homs on Wednesday, firing rockets and mortar rounds to subdue opposition districts, activists said, a day after Russia said Assad wants peace, as protests sweep Sweidaa, home to Syria’s Druze. (more…)

Lavrov says seeks peace in Syria as Homs bombarding resumes

Russia’s foreign minister said he told Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday that Moscow wanted to see peace in the Arab world as Syrian forces resumed a bombardment of Homs, a hub of protest and rebellion against Assad’s rule. (more…)

Jumblatt slams Russia, China veto, calls for aiding Syrian refugees

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt slammed on Monday the double veto used by Russia and China to block the UN security council resolution condemning violence in Syria and called it a “slap in the face of the Syrian people,” (more…)

Sarkozy to discuss ‘Syrian scandal’ with Russia’s Medvedev

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Monday he would speak with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev later in the day to discuss the situation in Syria, which he described as a “scandal.”

Sarkozy said on Saturday Paris was consulting with Arab and European countries to create a Syrian contact group to find a solution to the crisis after Russia and China vetoed a resolution at the U.N. Security Council. (more…)