UN steps up pressure on Syria

The international community on Tuesday stepped up diplomatic pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
 
In Geneva, the United Nations Human Rights Council agreed to launch an investigation into the violence in which it says 2,200 people have already died.
 
The vote, which was passed despite objections from Russia, China and Cuba, could pave the way for charges of crimes against humanity to be brought against Assad.
 
A UN envoy is already in Syria on a surprise trip to the area.
 
Meanwhile in Istanbul, Syria’s fragmented opposition in exile has met to form a national council in preparation for the day when they hope  the Assad regime will fall.
 
Louay Safi of the Syrian American Council said “We oppose any kind of international military intervention. Of course we would like to have the international community to work with us to support demands for democracy and to raise diplomatic pressure.”
 
Notoriously split by years of sectarian tensions, the council has one eye on what’s been happening in Libya.
 
euronews reporter Bora Bayraktar said from Istanbul “The Syrian opposition has taken an important step to unite. Now their goal is to name a leader who will be accepted by everyone.”

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