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As the Deputy Federal Government Spokesman Christoph Steegmans reported in Berlin, the Chancellor also demanded that the people’s right to express their opinion in the form of demonstrations be respected.

Seeking a peaceful solution

Angela Merkel called on the Syrian leadership at last to seek a dialogue with peaceful protesters and opposition groups. At the same time she called on all political forces in Syria to act responsibly and together employ peaceful means to seek a political solution that can end the conflict.

Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle too was appalled. "The regime of President al-Assad continues to order security forces to shoot at their own people." If President Bashar al-Assad is not willing to change course, he said, Germany and its EU partners will impose further sanctions.

Emergency meeting of the UN Security Council

United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, also demanded an end to the military offensive against opponents of the government in Syria. Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy was “shocked” by the massacre in the Syrian city of Hama.

The UN Security Council has met to consider events in Syria in response to a German request. The UN estimates that more than 1,500 civilians have lost their lives since the conflict in Syria began.

The EU has stepped up sanctions against the regime of President al-Assad. A total of 35 people are now banned from entering the EU, announced Catherine Ashton High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Their assets held within the EU are also to be frozen.