Syrian troops in push to quell unrest

AS THE UN chief accused the Syrian government of possible war crimes, troops yesterday conducted fresh operations in rebel-held quarters of the southern provincial capital of Deraa, residents and opposition activists reported.

Troops were also said to be continuing a push into restive districts of the central cities of Homs and Hama with the aim of quelling unrest ahead of a constitutional referendum on February 26th and parliamentary elections 90 days later.

President Bashar al-Assad’s announcement of these popular consultations has been rejected by the exiled opposition Syrian National Council and its western supporters.

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said: “We see neighbourhoods shelled indiscriminately, hospitals used as torture centres, children as young as 10 chained and abused. We see almost a certain crime against humanity.”

Chinese deputy foreign minister Zhai Jun, who met a delegation from the Syrian opposition last week, is set to arrive in Damascus today. He said China “does not approve of the use of force to intervene in Syria or pressure for regime change”, including the threat or imposition of sanctions.

Paris said it is discussing with Russia a new Security Council resolution that would authorise humanitarian corridors to provide food and medical supplies to trapped civilians. Moscow is reluctant to support such intervention without approval from Damascus.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has defended Moscow’s veto of a February 5th Security Council resolution on the grounds western sponsors had refused to accept Moscow’s contention that insurgents as well as government troops should be compelled to withdraw from urban areas. Mr Lavrov blamed Washington and its allies for persuading the opposition and insurgents to reject negotiations with the government.