Over 100 dead in Syria as AL wants new observer mission

Homs

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The U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday that the head of the Arab League, Nabil Al-Arabi, had asked him Tuesday for UN cooperation to a new observer mission to Syria. "He suggested a joint mission in Syria, with a common special envoy," he said, explaining that this matter would be referred to the Security Council in the upcoming days. The Arab League had decided in late January to withdraw its observers , who first arrived in Syria on December 26.

Ban Ki-moon has also slammed the "catastrophic" Russian and Chinese veto on a resolution at the Security Council, condemning the repression of the revolt. He said the veto urged the regime in Damascus to "intensify its war against its own people." "The appalling brutality we witness in Homs, with heavy weapons firing on residential areas, unfortunately, suggests that the situation will get worse," said the UN chief who added President Assad " must be held accountable. "

Meanwhile, Syrian rebels said Wednesday they needed weapons to overthrow the regime of Bashar Assad. "We want military support. We need equipment, "said a Free Syrian Army commander. "We are not asking for troops," he stressed.

On Wednesday, at least 117 people were killed, out of which 93 were reported in Homs.