GCC slams Syria as killings continue

The GCC states on Sunday lambasted Syria's regime for deploying heavy weapons against its civilians, as more than 100 people were killed in raids, bombings and air strikes. The six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council at a meeting in Jeddah also urged the international community to "assume their responsibilities and take measures to protect civilians" in Syria where, according to a watchdog group, more than 26,000 people have been killed in the revolt that erupted in March 2011. The GCC – which includes Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait – in a statement issued after the meeting in the Saudi city condemned "the ongoing massacres which are due to the obstinacy of the regime in using heavy weapons, including planes and tanks" against civilians. The 124th Ministerial Council of the GCC member states began here on Sunday in the presence of GCC Foreign Ministers, according to a WAM report. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash is representing the UAE in the meeting.e t