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Death Toll Continues to Mount in Syria

VOA News November 22, 2011

The death toll continues to mount in Syria where President Bashar al-Assad faces increased pressure to resign.

Activists say gunfire from security forces killed at least four people in the central Homs region on Tuesday, including two children.

Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Assad to step down. In a televised speech Tuesday, Erdogan said his former close ally should cede power for the welfare of his own people and the region.

On Monday, relations between the two countries became more strained after gunmen in northern Syria opened fire on a convoy of buses carrying Turkish pilgrims. Two Turkish citizens were wounded in the attack.

Meanwhile, a U.N. panel is set to vote Tuesday on a resolution that would condemn Syria's eight-month-old crackdown on dissent.

Syria's envoy to the U.N. has harshly criticized the draft measure that is being considered by the General Assembly's human rights committee.

The non-binding resolution was crafted by Germany, Britain and France.

The resolution calls on Damascus to implement an Arab initiative that would allow the group to send monitors to Syria. The 22-member group, which has suspended Syria's membership, plans to meet on Thursday to discuss the country's crisis.

Syria's state-run news agency says thousands of people gathered in the city of Latakia on Tuesday to protest against the Arab League's actions against Syria.

The United Nations says the government crackdown has resulted in more than 3,500 deaths.

"`If you want to see somebody who has fought against its own people until death, look at Nazi Germany, look at Hitler, Mussolini, Romania's Nicolae Ceausescu," said Erdogan. "If you don't draw lessons from these, then look at the Libyan leader who was killed just 32 days ago after pointing guns at his own people and using the same expressions as you.''

"I repeat my call to Bashar Assad. You should first find those who attacked Turkey's diplomatic missions, Turkish flag and pilgrims who were passing by your territory and bring them to justice," said Erdogan. "Without spilling any more blood, without causing any more injustice, for the sake of peace for the people, the country and the region, finally step down.''

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.