07 february 2012, 15h00

Russian claims Syrian leader set to reform

(AFP)

Russia says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad presented reform plans on Tuesday to help end the bloodshed in Syria, but Western and Arab states acted to isolate Assad further as his forces resumed bombarding the protest hotbed of Homs. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with Mr. Assad in Damascus on a solution to the crisis palatable to Moscow, a longtime ally of Mr. Assad, after it vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that backed an Arab League call for his ouster. But the Russian mediation failed to slow a rush by countries that denounced the Russian-Chinese veto three days ago to corner Syria diplomatically and cripple Mr. Assad with sanctions in hopes
of removing him. Opposition activists said government forces renewed shelling of the central city of Homs on Tuesday just before Mr. Lavrov's arrival, killing some 19 people in an onslaught that they say
has claimed over 300 lives in the last five days.

COMMENTAIRES

Please comment on this article

Note: By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that Radio Canada International has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Radio Canada International does not endorse any of the views posted. Your comments will be pre-moderated and published if they meet netiquette guidelines.

Reply *
First Name *
Name *
Email *
City *
Country *
Telephone
Visual confirmation *	Recharger Enter the validation code
	Fields with * are mandatory