New York: The UK and France have presented a draft UN resolution condemning Syria’s suppression of protests, but stopping short of authorising concrete action. The text has faced stiff opposition from some Security Council members, who fear a resolution could be the first step towards military intervention.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Syrians have been fleeing into Turkey in an attempt to escape an expected crackdown.
Turkey said it would not close its doors to those seeking refuge.
Speaking at a news conference in Ankara, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was monitoring the situation, and called on Damascus to act with tolerance.
Those crossing into Turkey have been fleeing the northern Syrian town of Jisr al-Shughour, amid reports that the Syrian military are preparing a military assault there.
The government has pledged to restore control with determination and force in the area, after saying that 120 members of the security forces were killed there.
Human rights groups say more than 1,000 people have been killed since protests began in February against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad.
The draft UN resolution submitted by Britain and France with the support of Germany and Portugal condemns the systematic violation of human rights in Syria. It demands an immediate end to violence, and access for humanitarian workers.
It stresses that the only solution to the crisis is through an inclusive and Syrian-led process.
Russia has voiced the strongest opposition to the resolution, and may use its veto power to block it, our correspondent reports.
“The world should not stand silent in the face of outrageous acts that are happening,” said Britain’s ambassador to the UN, Mark Lyall Grant
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