Sunday, May 27, 2012

Syria massacre: UK's William Hague steps up pressure




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William Hague
Foreign Secretary William Hague has summoned Syria's most senior diplomat in the UK to the Foreign Office, over the massacre in Houla.
It comes as the UK works to "galvanise the international approach" to the Syrian regime's actions.
The UN has confirmed the deaths of at least 90 people in Houla, including 32 children under the age of 10.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said members of the regime will be banned from the Olympics.
Mr Clegg told the BBC's Andrew Marr that if any member of the Syrian Olympic delegation was shown to be part of the ruling regime, they would be denied entry to the UK.
"As far as we are concerned, we have recently said very clearly: if you've abused human rights - that's shown to be the case - you are not welcome in this country," he said.
Writing on Twitter, Mr Hague said the charge d'affaires at the Syrian Embassy in London had been summoned to the Foreign Office (FCO) on Monday.
He will meet FCO political director Sir Geoffrey Adams "who will make clear our condemnation of the Syrian regime's actions".
He also said he was due to speak to UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan to discuss "urgent steps" on the violence in Syria.
Mr Hague has said he was co-ordinating a "strong response" to the killings and would call for the Security Council to meet in the coming days.
He is due to fly to Russia later on Sunday, where he said will call for "support, rapid and unequivocal pressure on Assad regime and accountability for crimes".
The Syrian Foreign Ministry has denied responsibility for the massacre.

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