UN finds bodies of 13 Syrian army defectors found

UNITED Nations observers in Syria have discovered 13 bodies, bound and apparently shot in the head, days after a massacre of 108 civilians in Houla sparked global anger outcry.

Syrian activists said the victims were army defectors killed by President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, but it was not possible to verify their accounts.

Major-General Robert Mood, the Norwegian head of the observer mission, said the bodies were found in Assukar, about 31 miles east of the city of Deir al-Zor. They had their hands tied behind their backs and there were signs that some had been shot in the head from close range.

“Gen Mood is deeply disturbed by this appalling and inexcusable act,” a statement issued by the observer mission said. “He calls on all parties to exercise restraint and end the cycle of violence for the sake of Syria and the Syrian people.”

The UN Human Rights Council will meet in Geneva tomorrow to consider the Houla killings. But a Russian minister ruled out imminent action by the Security Council.

Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said his country was “categorically against any outside interference in the Syrian conflict” as it would “only exacerbate the situation for both Syria and the region as a whole”.

Syrian rebels last night gave Mr Assad a 48-hour deadline to abide by an international peace plan to end violence, or face consequences.

Rebel spokesman Colonel Qassim Saadeddine said: “The joint leadership of the Free Army inside Syria announces that it is giving the regime a final 48-hour deadline to implement the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

“It ends on Friday at 1200. Then we are free from any commitment, and we will defend and protect the civilians, their villages and their cities.”