Secretary appalled at Syrian violence

Commenting on the violence today in Syria, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:\"I am appalled by the reports that the Syrian security forces have stormed Hama with tanks and other heavy weapons this morning killing dozens of people.  Such action against civilians who have been protesting peacefully in large numbers in the city for a number of weeks has no justification.  The attack appears to be part of a coordinated effort across a number of towns in Syria to deter the Syrian people from protesting in advance of Ramadan.  The attacks are all the more shocking on the eve of the Muslim holy month. President Bashar is mistaken if he believes that oppression and military force will end the crisis in his country.  He should stop this assault on his own people now.\"