UN Security Council condemns Syria violence

The 15-member UN Security Council has condemned the "the widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities" and called for those responsible to be held "accountable".

In a statement, read out by current President Hardeep Singh Puri, the body also expressed "profound regret at the deaths of many hundreds of people" and called on all involved to "act with utmost restraint".

Human rights groups say at least 140 people have been killed in the unrest since Sunday, mainly in Hama, adding to a civilian death toll believed to be more than 1,600 since March.