Security council should impose Syria sanctions: Baird
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OTTAWAThe Syrian army's gruesome weekend massacre of more than 100 people - including dozens of children - was the "worst day" so far in the bloody 14-month uprising, says Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird.
On Monday, Baird roundly condemned the killings in the northwest city of Houla, calling it another example of the Assad regime's "utter contempt for humanity and decency."
He also urged the UN Security Council to join sanctions against Syria.
The European Union, the Arab League and the U.S. have all imposed trade restrictions on the regime, as has Canada. Canada has imposed seven rounds of sanctions since early last year.
The 15-member security council held an emergency meeting Sunday following the massacre, and released a statement condemning the Syrian government's artillery shelling of the residential neighbourhood and the "close range shootings" of civilians.
It also reiterated its support for a six-part peace plan and ceasefire that was supposed to come into effect in April.
UN envoy Kofi Annan, who brokered the faltering plan, is in Damascus and will meet with President Bashar al-Assad Tuesday in an attempt to salvage the deal.
While Canada supports the plan, Baird nixed the idea of sending Canadian observers to Syria as part of the UN mission, arguing the current situation is too dangerous.
"Under the rules in place, the UN observers are not allowed to carry sidearms, let alone to protect themselves," he said. "And we've seen on at least three conditions they've come under pretty direct attack."
The foreign affairs minister also said any form of military intervention was not an option being discussed.
In March, Canada stopped calling for Assad to unequivocally step down - as it had for much of the crisis - and is focusing instead on pushing for a diplomatic end supported by the Syrian people.
The UN estimates more than 9,000 people - mostly civilians - have been killed since the uprisings began.
--with files from Reuters