Dozens of Syrian army deserters shot dead
UN General Assembly condemns Syrian human rights violations on day that security foces kill more than 100
Dozens of Syrian army deserters were shot dead on Monday as they tried to flee their base and defect to join the nine-month revolt against President Bashar Assad, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
The British-based group, citing witnesses who survived the attack, said Syrian forces attacked defectors in the Idlib province with machinegun fire. One of the survivors said some 60 to 70 deserters were killed.
At least 30 other people died in other incidents across the country, the activists said.
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The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly condemned human rights violations by Assad's government and called for an immediate end to violence.
Anti-Assad protest in Idlib (Photo: Reuters)
The resolution, sponsored by Britain, France and Germany, calls on Syrian authorities to implement an Arab League peace plan, agreed to last month, "without further delay."
It urges the withdrawal of government tanks from the streets, the release of political prisoners and the allowing of observers into the country.
The 193-member world body approved the nonbinding resolution Monday by a vote of 133-11, with 43 abstentions.
Syria's UN Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari accused some sponsors of the resolution of waging a "political, media and diplomatic war" aimed at the disintegration of the country.
Meanwhile, Syria signed an Arab League initiative that will allow Arab observers into the country.
The signing at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo followed increasing world pressure on Syria alongside a wave of armed clashes between Syria's military and defectors from the army, raising fears of an imminent civil war.
The regime's acceptance of observers after weeks of delays came after a warning from Arab leaders that they would turn to the UN Security Council for action to try to end Assad's crackdown that the UN said has killed at least 5,000 people.
AP, Reuters and AFP contributed to the report
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