Syrian regime tightens Hama siege

(AP) Syrian troops have tightened their siege on the city of Hama, sending residents fleeing for their lives and drawing a fresh wave of international condemnation against a regime defying the growing calls to end its crackdown on anti-government protesters.

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met US-based Syrian democracy activists yesterday as the Obama Administration weighed new sanctions on Syria.

Congressional calls also mounted for action against President Bashar Assad's regime, as the death toll from three days of military assaults on civilians in Hama neared 100.

Italy recalled its ambassador to Syria "in the face of the horrible repression against the civil population" by the Government, which launched a new push against protesters as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began.

It was the first European Union country to pull its ambassador, and the measure came a day after the EU tightened sanctions on Syria.

The mounting international outcry has had no apparent effect so far in Syria, an autocratic country that relies on Iran as a main ally in the region.

The top US military officer said Washington wants to pressure the Syrian regime. But he added there was no immediate prospect of a Libya-style military intervention.

At United Nations headquarters in New York, the Security Council met behind closed doors to discuss a revised European-drafted resolution backed by the US that has been languishing since late May that would condemn Syria's attacks against civilians. After lengthy discussions, the ambassadors agreed to resume negotiations today.

Russia had softened its stance, indicating it would not oppose such a resolution. Last month, Russia and China had threatened to veto such a resolution, effectively blocking it. But Sergei Vershinin, chief of the Foreign Ministry's Middle East and North Africa Department, told Russian news agencies that sanctions would only escalate the conflict.

Still, there was no sign the Syrian regime was willing to back down.

There has been an intensified campaign since Monday, apparently aimed at preventing protests from swelling during Ramadan, when Muslims throng mosques for nightly prayers.

Protests erupted on Tuesday across the country, with hundreds turning out in cities including Homs, Latakia, the Damascus suburbs and the eastern city of Deir el-Zour.

There were scattered protests in Hama, but heavy shelling kept most people inside. Hama has been a target because it is an opposition stronghold.

Hama-based activist Omar Hamawi told AP that troops advanced about 700m from the western entrance of the city, taking up positions in Kazo Square. He said the force consisted of eight tanks and several armoured personnel carriers. Hamawi said troops were also reinforced on the eastern side of the city around the Hama Central Prison.