Concern grows over Syria crackdown

A day after activists reported at least 14 people had been killed by Syrian forces during protests across the country, human rights groups said today the Syrian crackdown was continuing unabated.

Human rights groups said that tanks were very much in evidence in the coastal city of Latakia on Saturday amid intense shooting during protests.

The city along with Homs and Hama have seen large demonstrations against President Bashar Assad's regime.

Activists also reported that soldiers backed by loyalist gunmen, raided villages close to the northern town of Qusair near the Lebanon border, carrying out arrests.

Qusair was reportedly the scene of eleven killings on Thursday by security forces.

Speaking to Vatican Radio about the alarming situation in Syria, Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem William Shomali says President Bashar al Assad is losing legitimacy.

"Assad is losing ground, he loses his ligitimacy in the eyes of the Syrians and in the eyes of the neighouring countries".

On Friday US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said that international opinion was hardening against Assad's regime.

She also called for a global embargo on Syrian oil and gas and the selling of weapons to the country.

But as the US and EU gets tough with sanctions the crackdown goes on with rights groups saying at least 1,700 civilians have been killed in the 5-month-old uprising. Listen