Syria defies world to keep Homs under siege

As tensions mounted further in Syria, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby last night appointed Kofi Annan, Ban's predecessor as joint special envoy on the Syrian crisis.

A UN statement said Mr Annan would “provide good offices aimed at bringing an end to all violence and human rights violations, and promoting a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis.”

Syrian forces launched a massive bombardment of rebel districts of Homs, defying a world outcry over the killing of two Western journalists and a citizen reporter who were among the few to bear witness to the civilian toll.