Crackdown continues

Bahrain and Kuwait recalled their ambassadors from Syria on Monday, one day after Saudi Arabia also recalled its envoy.

Meanwhile, the Arab League has condemned the Syrian regime, saying it would use persuasion rather than "drastic measures" to press for an end to violence.

On Monday, Syrian security forces were reported to have shot dead at least four civilians as a tank onslaught against anti-government protesters in the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor continued for a second day.

One woman and her two children were killed while attempting to escape violence in the city, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights quoted residents as saying. Another woman was killed in the western neighborhood of al-Joura, according to activists.

A further 1,500 people were believed to have been arrested in a massive random arrest operation in the central city of Hama.

Syrian state television reported on Monday evening that President Bashar al-Assad had appointed a new defense minister, General Ali Habib being replaced by General Dahood Rajha.

The latest assaults came a day after scores of army tanks stormed two cities, killing at least 42 in Deir Ezzor and at least 10 more in the central town of Hula.

Assad claims crackdown was a "duty"

Assad defended the escalating crackdown Sunday, saying the latest violent government crackdown was justified since it was "the duty of state" to confront "outlaws."

"Syria is on the path to reforms," the state news agency, SANA, reported him saying, "to deal with outlaws who cut off roads, seal towns and terrorize residents is a duty of the state which must defend security and protect the lives of civilians."

The president's regime is becoming increasingly isolated, however, with the international community continuing to denounce the violence.

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah demanded an end to the bloodshed, branding the crackdown immoral and in breach of Islamic teaching.

"The future of Syria lies between two options: either Syria chooses willingly to resort to reason, or faces being swept into deep chaos, God forbid," King Abdullah said in a rare intervention.

Welcome condemnation

The United States on Monday welcomed condemnations of the Syrian regime from the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Center. "We’re very much encouraged, heartened by the strong statements that we’ve seen over the weekend, " said State Department spokesman Mark Toner.

Rights groups claim that more than 1,650 people and around 390 security personnel have been killed since protests calling for an end Assad's 11-year rule began in March.

Syrian authorities have expelled most independent journalists, making it difficult to verify the death toll and reports of the fighting.

Author: Charlotte Chelsom-Pill, Sarah Harman, Richard Connor (AFP, Reuters, dpa)
Editor: Martin Kuebler