(VOV) - The horrific massacre in Syria’s Houla town last week killing more than 100 people is making UN efforts to stop the violence appear futile. This is the worst violence since the anti-Government uprising began a year ago, dimming any prospect for peace in Syria.
In its initial response, the UN Security Council strongly condemned the killing, calling it a serious violation against the ceasefire truce between the Syrian Government and the opposition. The Security Council urged the Government to immediately halt its use of heavy weapons and withdraw its forces from populated cities.
Kofi Annan, the special envoy of the UN and the Arab League, arrived in Damascus on May 28 to persuade both sides to take specific actions to bring the violence to an end.
Many countries around the world have made appeals to the factions in Syria to end the 14-month-long conflict that has killed more than 12,600 people.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is unsatisfied with the UN-Arab League peace initiative in Syria. Russia is worried about the recurrence of civilian massacres and does not rule out the possibility that outside influences may be inciting the violence.
In a phone call, French President Francois Hollande and the British Prime Minister David Cameron