Syria: Russian minister calls for peace as bombardment of Homs continues

Russia’s foreign minister has told the Syrian president he wants to see peace in the Arab world as the bombardment of Homs continued today.

Sergei Lavrov is meeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus for talks.

Syrian forces today resumed their assault of Homs, a hub of protest and rebellion against Assad’s rule.

The message from one of Syria’s few allies came three days after a Russian-Chinese veto of an Arab-backed UN resolution on Syria caused outrage and fired Western resolve to impose more sanctions to cripple Assad economically and oust him from power.

Mr Lavrov spoke of an urgent need for democratic reforms to defuse the conflict.

According to Russian news agency RIA, Mr Lavrov told the Syrian president: “Every leader of every country must be aware of his share of responsibility. You are aware of yours.

“It is in our interests for Arab peoples to live in peace and agreement.”

Mr Lavrov’s convoy ran along the Mazzeh boulevard among a sea of Assad supporters who turned up to express gratitude for Moscow’s support.

“Thank you Russia and China” read one banner that had the photos of both Assad and the Russian president. Many stood under rain carrying Syrian flags as well as the red, blue and white Russian banner and balloons.

More than 5,400 people have been killed in Syria since the uprising began in March, the UN said early last month. Hundreds more are believed to have been killed since then, but the UN says the chaos in the country has made it impossible to cross-check the figures.

Meanwhile, David Cameron has chaired a meeting of the National Security Council, discussing the escalating problems in the country.

New EU measures are expected to be agreed on February 27 and could include a freeze on Syria’s central bank assets and a ban on trade in precious metals.

Ahead of the NSC meeting, Foreign Secretary William Hague briefed Cabinet on developments following Russia and China’s veto of a United Nations resolution designed to end President Bashar Assad’s bloody crackdown on dissent.

France and Italy today recalled their ambassadors from Syria for consultations, a day after Britain took the same step and the US closed down its embassy in Damascus.