United Nations diplomats are working on a resolution that would condemn Syria for its deadly anti-government crackdown, as refugees from the violence cross Syria's northern border into Turkey.
British Prime Minister David Cameron says Britain and France will put forth a draft resolution on Wednesday that condemns “repression” in Syria. But its fate is unclear as Russia said this week that it would veto the resolution.
Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Syria to take a more 'tolerant' position towards its civilians as his nation faces an increasing tide of Syrian refugees.
He commented after more than 120 Syrians crossed into Turkey, amid fears of possible Syrian military retaliation on their hometowns. Mr. Erdogan said Wednesday that he would not close the door to Syrians fleeing the violence.
The Syrian government accused “armed gangs” in the border region of “massacring” 120 security force members and vowed to take decisive action. There were media reports of Syrian forces moving to fortify positions in the north on Wednesday.
Rights groups say at least 1,100 people have been killed in the Syrian crackdown against the anti-government campaign that began in March. More than 10,000 people have been arrested.
In a related development, Syria's ambassador to France denied she is resigning her post, after a French television channel said she had quit to protest violence against demonstrators. Lamia Shakkour said Wednesday that a telephone interview broadcast by France 24 television with a woman claiming to be her was false.
France 24 later said it did not rule out a “manipulation,” and if that is the case it will pursue legal action against those responsible.
Also, the United States and its allies are drafting a separate United Nations resolution that says Syria has failed to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency on its nuclear program. Syria has failed to allow international monitors to inspect its facilities to determine if they are being used for military purposes.
