Syrian government blames rebels for massacre
- 12 years ago
EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL
More finger pointing over a mass killing that happened in Syria one week ago.
Syrian government officials say a preliminary investigation shows it was anti-government rebels who killed 108 people in the region of Houla last week.
The head of a government investigation said the victims were people who opposed the uprising.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF SYRIAN GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE, BRIGADIER GENERAL QASSEM JAMAL SULEIMAN, SAYING:
"They have never protested or carried weapons against the government. They disagreed with the armed terrorist groups. The aim [of these armed groups] is to bring foreign military intervention against the country in any form and way."
The Syrian government's investigation is being rejected by Western powers.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS SUSAN RICE, SAYING:
"I think quite simply it's another blatant lie. There is no factual evidence, including that provided by the UN observers that would substantiate that rendition of events."
As the 14 month crisis seems to be heading towards civil war, Western officials have strongly criticised countries who continue to support the Syrian regime... namely China and Russia, which has reportedly just shipped arms to Damascus.
Beijing and Moscow have both vetoed two Security Council resolutions calling for tougher action against Damascus.
Julie Noce, Reuters
More finger pointing over a mass killing that happened in Syria one week ago.
Syrian government officials say a preliminary investigation shows it was anti-government rebels who killed 108 people in the region of Houla last week.
The head of a government investigation said the victims were people who opposed the uprising.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF SYRIAN GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE, BRIGADIER GENERAL QASSEM JAMAL SULEIMAN, SAYING:
"They have never protested or carried weapons against the government. They disagreed with the armed terrorist groups. The aim [of these armed groups] is to bring foreign military intervention against the country in any form and way."
The Syrian government's investigation is being rejected by Western powers.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS SUSAN RICE, SAYING:
"I think quite simply it's another blatant lie. There is no factual evidence, including that provided by the UN observers that would substantiate that rendition of events."
As the 14 month crisis seems to be heading towards civil war, Western officials have strongly criticised countries who continue to support the Syrian regime... namely China and Russia, which has reportedly just shipped arms to Damascus.
Beijing and Moscow have both vetoed two Security Council resolutions calling for tougher action against Damascus.
Julie Noce, Reuters