Landmines planted at Syria's borders

The Syrian Army has planted Russian-made landmines near the country's borders with Lebanon and Turkey, a human rights group charged Tuesday. Human Rights Watch said witnesses and members of the opposition report the planted landmines have already caused civilian casualties. "There is absolutely no justification for the use of these indiscriminate weapons by any country, anywhere for any purpose," said Steve Goose, Arms Division director of Human Rights Watch. Syria is not among 159 countries that signed the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty prohibiting the use, production, trade and stockpiling of antipersonnel mines. The size and origin of Syria's landmine stockpile is not known but it is believed to consist mainly of Soviet/Russian-manufactured mines. In a related development, opposition activists declared Tuesday a day of mourning across Syria for the thousands who have died in government attacks, CNN reported. Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser, president of the UN General Assembly, said more than 8,000 people have been killed since the conflict began. The opposition Syrian National Council has called for international military intervention to stop the growing violence and protect the country's citizens. The group said "sympathy messages are no longer enough."