(Image source: Sky News)

BY XIAONAN WANG

On Tuesday, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad promised to end violence in Syria after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. However, the government’s crackdown on Homs continues into its fifth day, and the death toll is still rising. A BBC reporter close to the city of Homs said the relentless bombardment there has been the heaviest ever.

“We hear some very high casualty figures, more than 50, which cannot be verified at the moment. But in the one small neighborhood that we are in, they claim to have counted 27 bodies so far.”

Last week Russia and China vetoed a UN resolution for an Arab plan that would have urged Assad to give up power. Lavrov said Tuesday that his Syria visit was productive. And on Wednesday, he said the situation will take time to resolve, and warned against demonizing President Bashar al-Assad.

“A day after his diplomatic mission to Syria, Russia’s Foreign Minister is sticking to his support for President Bashar al-Assad ... Lavrov also blamed both sides in the conflict for the violence, and warned of outside interference.” (Video source: euronews)

But activists report the pro-Assad forces are moving deeper into the city, firing rockets and mortar rounds. A video from Al Jazeera shows civilians apparently fleeing the violence.

“The government says it’s fighting armed gangs that have taken the city and its people hostage. But activists posted this video on the Internet. They say it shows women and children running for their lives.”

And The New York Times reports, Russian influence in the country may be dwindling.

“It remained unclear whether Russia possessed the diplomatic power to significantly influence events on the ground. … Neither was it clear whether Russian diplomatic efforts could push Mr. Assad to a compromise, considering his repeated assertions that he is battling terrorism, not a popular uprising.”

The EU is threatening harsher sanctions against Syria. The government of Turkey also said it’s ready to host an international conference to support the Syrian people. And a UN official said on Wednesday it’s time to cut through the politics and take effective action.