Syrians describe situation in Homas as " Warzone"

Negotiations at the UN over a resolution aimed at ending the violence in Syria have stalled, as residents in the heart of the uprising began to refer to their country as a "warzone". After nearly a year of escalating tensions between Syrian security forces and protesters demanding an end to the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, residents of the western city of Homs said that they were under daily attack, Al Jazeera reported. Locals said they face starvation due to dwindling supplies and daily attacks by snipers and mortar fire from forces loyal to the president. In a bid to halt the escalating violence, diplomats at the UN Security Council in New York have been debating a draft resolution condemning human rights violations in Syria. The Arab League has asked the council to endorse an action plan for Syria that it put forward last month. But negotiations were stalled before further talks on Friday amid concern from Russia and China, long-time allies of Syria, with the contents of the draft document. Russia has made clear it would veto any UN resolution it finds unacceptable, and block any statement paving the way for foreign military intervention. The draft, put forward by Morocco, the only Arab member of the council, has been under debate for days. It does not call for Assad to step down, as proposed in the Arab League plan. Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani said on Thursday that the Arab League would not accept any further concessions.