Russia is seeking to revive last summer’s peace plan for Syria in talks with a senior Syrian diplomat and an international envoy, according to Moscow’s foreign ministry.

The United Nations envoy tasked with brokering an end to Syria’s civil war is due to meet president Bashar Assad today.

Syrian government forces and militia have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity on civilians, a UN expert panel has concluded.

Syrian troops today shelled the central region of Houla where more than 100 people were massacred last week, activists said.

Syrian troops have launched a fierce assault on a Damascus suburb, days ahead of a deadline for a UN-brokered ceasefire.

Syria’s deputy foreign minister has hit back at critics of the country’s human rights record saying it is under attack from criminals who have killed 1,100 citizens with arms supplied by neighbouring countries.