The use of heavy weaponry on civilian neighborhoods in Homs, is “ shredding President Assad’s claims to speak for the Syrian people” UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said Wednesday, stopping short of calling on the embattled Syrian leader to step down. Ban said he feared reports of worsening violence…

Western diplomats slammed Russia and China for blocking an Arab League plan to end the crisis in Syria Saturday, after a week of intense negotiations yet again failed to produce a resolution condemning the Assad government’s 11 month long crackdown against opposition groups.

UN diplomats returned to the negotiating table Wednesday in hopes of reaching a compromise with Russia and other countries who have expressed concern over the Arab League’s proposed Security Council resolution on Syria.

Russia’s reported sale of fighter jets and ammunition to the Assad government in Syria drew veiled criticism Tuesday from Western states at the UN Security Council, who urged “supplier countries” to stop selling arms to the regime in Damascus. U.S., French and British Ambassadors alluded to reports of arms sales…