UN condemnation

The UN Security Council issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the Syrian government's use of force against civilians.

The text, compiled during a three-day closed meeting, condemns the "widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities."

It also calls 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 is the Security Council's first formal condemnation of violence in Syria since protests against President Bashar al-Assad's regime began in March.

It falls short, however, of being the tough UN resolution which had been sought by numerous western countries. The only dissenter among the 15 Security Council members was Syria's neighbor Lebanon, which invoked a procedure not used since the 1970s to disassociate itself from the statement.

Council indecision

Germany called the pivotal three-day council meeting on Sunday, galvanized by mounting violence in the Syrian city of Hama over the weekend.

Human rights groups claimed that more than 80 protesters were killed in the city on Sunday. At least 27 people died during protests on Monday and Tuesday.

"The world has watched the deteriorating situation in Syria with the most profound concern," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. "But the events of the past few days have been brutally shocking."

Early on Thursday, the president issued a decree allowing the formation of political parties that would be permitted to operate alongside the Baath party.

The state news agency SANA reported that draft legislation would be "aimed at enriching political life, creating a new dynamic and allowing for a change in political power."

The legislation bans parties founded on the basis "of religion, tribal affiliation, regional interests; professional organizations as well as parties which discriminate on the basis of race, sex or color," SANA reported.

However, the move is unlikely to satisfy critics of regime, with western government increasingly vocal in their condemnation of the violence.

In recent months, Britain, France, Germany and Portugal, backed by the US, have pushed for Security Council action. They first drafted a formal statement of condemnation over two months ago, but it was dropped after several influential members raised objections.

Russia and China, two of the five permanent council members with veto powers, had blocked council action, fearing that a resolution could be the precursor to a Libya-style military intervention from NATO.

Temporary council members Brazil, India, Lebanon and South Africa also said then they did not support either a resolution or a statement.

Compromise reached

The violence in Hama at the weekend put pressure on those nations who were reluctant to criticize Syria to change their position. And the statement is thought to have been drafted to appease them: it apportions blame for the violence to both the Syrian government and the protesters.

But Lebanon refused to approve even that: it said that it would "not help" end the Syrian crisis.

The statement notes that Damascus is committed to carrying out reform, but the UN regrets "the lack of progress in implementation." It also reaffirms the council's "strong commitment" to Syrian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

In light of the new changes Russia's UN envoy, Vitaly Churkin, confirmed that Russia had lifted its objections, calling the new version "balanced."

'Turning point'

Although Britain and France had originally pushed for a stronger UN resolution, the two allies welcomed the compromise statement of condemnation as an important development in the world community's response to the Syrian bloodshed.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the statement demonstrated the "rising international concern at the unacceptable behavior" of Assad's regime.

"I call on… Assad's regime to end its violence and to allow genuine political reform," Hague said. "Until it does, the regime will be discredited amongst its own people and [face] increased pressure internationally."

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe praised the statement as a "turning point in the international community's attitude."

"It underlines that those behind the violence must be held accountable," Juppe said. "The council will meet again within seven days to re-examine the situation."

Violence continues

News of the draft agreement came as violence continued in Hama. Syrian activists claimed that government tanks had stormed the city and residents were being forced to flee.

"There are some 100 tanks and troop carriers on the highway leading to the central city of Hama and about 200 tanks around the eastern city of Deir Ezzor," said the head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman.

Syrian authorities have expelled most independent journalists, making it difficult to verify the death toll and reports of the fighting.

At least 3,000 people are believed to have gone missing and 12,000 to have been taken prisoner during protests against the 11-year rule of President Bashar al-Assad.

Author: Spencer Kimball, Richard Connor (Reuters, AFP, dpa)
Editor: Andreas Illmer