Britain is still seeking condemnation at the United Nations of Syria's crackdown on protests despite being rebuffed in an attempt last week.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has used the army and police to try to crush weeks of pro-democracy protests that pose the boldest challenge to his family's 41 years of rule.
‘In Syria, we are mustering international diplomatic action to pressure President Assad to stop the killing and repression and to take the path of genuine reform,’ British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a speech tonight.
‘I have instructed our diplomats to begin discussions with our partners at the UN in New York to seek UN condemnation of the situation in Syria,’ Mr Hague said.
‘And we are working this week on EU sanctions on those responsible for the violence.’
A European push for the UN Security Council to condemn Syria's crackdown on the protesters was blocked last week by resistance from Russia, China and Lebanon.
Syrian protestors vow to continue 'revolution'
Anti-regime protesters pledged to press ahead with their 'revolution' despite sweeping arrests by Syrian authorities.
Around 100 tanks and troop transports were spotted massing at the Syrian town of Ar-Rastan, a major hotspot in seven weeks of anti-regime protests.
The Syrian army has been strengthening its forces there for the past three days.
Ar-Rastan residents have toppled a statue of the late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad, who was succeeded on his death in 2000 by his son, current President Assad.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has spoken with Syrian President Assad and urged him to immediately end the violent crackdown against anti-government protesters in Syria.
Mr Ban also 'called on President Assad to immediately grant access to the UN in order to assess the humanitarian needs of the affected civilian population.'
The UN statement added that Assad had expressed a 'willingness to consider such an assessment to Deraa.'
President Assad has said that the army would soon end its mission in Deraa, according to the semi-official al-Watan newspaper, playing down the uprising there and the army's response.
