Forces loyal to President Bashar al Assad have attacked rebel strongholds across Syria, intensifying their assault as the uprising entered its second year.
UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan said he had got a reply from Damascus to peace proposals he laid out at the weekend, and wanted further clarifications. His spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said: "Given the grave situation on the ground, everyone must realise time is of the essence. As Mr Annan said, this crisis cannot be allowed to drag on."
Official Syrian media accused "armed terrorists" of massacring 15 civilians, including young children, in Homs, which has been the focal point of much fighting in recent weeks.
In the city of Deraa, activists said Government troops had raked buildings with anti-aircraft fire.
Meanwhile, Italy has recalled all staff from its embassy in Damascus and suspended diplomatic activity in Syria.
A foreign ministry statement said the move was taken for security reasons and to stress Rome's "strongest possible condemnation of the unacceptable violence of the Syrian regime against its own citizens".
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