Syria: At Least 138 Killed As Red Cross Enters Hama
At least 138 Syrians were killed on Monday. This came as the Syrian authorities welcomed the results of the referendum on the new Constitution, which was approved by nearly 90% of voters.
Over 57% of voters went to the polls Sunday to decide on the Constitution that was approved by 89.4% of voters, according to official figures released Monday. “There was a large crowd despite threats by armed terrorist groups and despite the campaigns of incitement to prevent citizens from exercising their rights and harm this democratic process that took place in freedom and transparency, “said the interior minister, Mohammed Ibrahim al-Shaar.
Opposition activists had claimed that many polling stations had not opened, especially in cities where armed rebels clashed with army soldiers.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and diplomats still hope, after days of negotiations, to evacuate the wounded from Homs, including French journalist Edith Bouvier and British photographer Paul Conroy as well as the bodies of their two colleagues killed Wednesday.
The ICRC has also entered the rebel city of Hama, for the first time since Jan. 17, and has distributed aid to 12,000 people, said a spokesman for the humanitarian organization.
