Assad praises troops after Hama bloodshed
Calls for an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Syria escalated Monday after nearly 140 people were killed in a government crackdown over the weekend, after which the regime praised the army for "foiling" the country's enemies.
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Activists said at least 136 people were killed across Syria on Sunday with the toll expected to rise from the numbers wounded.
President Bashar al-Assad, in a speech marking the 66th anniversary of the army's formation, said the military "proved its loyalty to its people, country and creed," state news agency SANA cited the embattled leader as saying.
"Its efforts and sacrifices will be admired," he was quoted as saying, adding that "these sacrifices succeeded in foiling the enemies of the country and ending sedition, preserving Syria."
Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague on Monday joined in international condemnation of the clampdown calling for "stronger international pressure" on Syria, but ruled out military intervention.
US President Barack Obama and European leaders condemned the pre-Ramadan
crackdown as Germany and Italy called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security
Council.
A meeting could be held as soon as later on Monday. If it goes ahead it is likely to reopen bitter divisions within the Security Council, which has not yet been able to agree even on a statement on Assad's crackdown against opponents.
Britain, France, Germany, Portugal and the United States have been pressing for weeks for some kind of condemnation of the violence.
But Russia, China, South Africa, India and Brazil - which are angry at the Nato bombing campaign in Libya - have refused to support the move.
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