UK’s Hague warns Assad against Homs assault

British Foreign Secretary William Hague reacted to reports that the Assad regime may be preparing a land assault on Homs saying that he was “appalled” by them. Hague then went on to urge the Syrian regime to stop the plan and to allow “immediate and unhindered access to the humanitarian agencies who are ready to deliver vital assistance to those affected by the violence in all parts of the city,” a Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) press release quoted him as saying. According to the press release, the British Foreign Secretary has called on the Syrians who are being ordered to attack their fellow citizens “to make a choice and to lay down their arms,” adding that “those who do not do so will be held to account for their actions”. Hague finally repeated Britain’s support for any anti-Assad actions that the international community will decide to take until “it ceases the violence and repression which is doomed to fail”. “We will work with the Arab League to ensure a Syrian-led political transition that brings an end to this terrible crisis,” the British Foreign Secretary concluded.