UN prepares to vote as Syrian barrage kills hundreds

Syrian forces unleashed a barrage of artillery on the battered city of Homs for hours before dawn today, killing more than 200 people in what appeared to be the bloodiest episode in the 11-month-old uprising, activists said.

The government denied the assault, saying the reports were part of a “hysterical campaign” of incitement by armed groups against Syria, meant to be exploited at the UN Security Council as it prepares to vote on a draft resolution backing an Arab call for President Bashar Assad to give up power.