Syria: 69 Dead As US Closes Damascus Embassy, UK Recalls Ambassador

The Syrian army on Monday launched a new assault on Homs, killing 42 people and wounding dozens, according to activists .

This new offensive, again denied by the regime, comes on the eve of a visit to Damascus by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, whose country has vetoed Saturday with China a UN resolution condemning repression in Syria.

In total, the violence has killed at least 69 people Monday, including 66 civilians according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights.

On its part, the Syrian National Council, the main opposition coalition, urged the international community to “act quickly” to “prevent another massacre” in Homs, where shelling killed more than 330 dead on Saturday.

After the failure of diplomatic efforts at the UN, the U.S. and the EU have announced plans to strengthen sanctions against the regime, while London said it would take “other means of putting pressure” on Damascus.

London on Monday recalled its ambassador to Damascus, while Washington has closed its embassy, entrusting Poland task to represent the USA in Syria.