Syrian forces retaliate as UN readies resolution

Syrian government forces reasserted control of Damascus suburbs yesterday after beating back rebels, ahead of a push at the UN for a resolution calling for President Bashar al-Assad to give up powers.

Western and Arab diplomats descended on UN headquarters to back a Security Council resolution that would endorse an Arab League call for Assad to delegate powers to his deputy and defuse a 10-month uprising against his family’s dynastic rule.

Arab League secretary-general Nabil Elaraby urged the council to take “rapid and decisive action,” while Qatari prime minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim warned the 15-nation body that Syria’s “killing machine is still at work”.