Russian envoy meets Syrian president as violence escalates

Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov is in Syria for talks with President Bashar al- Assad, as bombardment of rebel stronghold Homs continues.

His visit comes after Russia and China vetoed an Arab-backed UN resolution, responding to Assad's crackdown on the popular revolt.

As he arrived in Damascus this morning, he was greeted by thousands of pro-Assad demonstrators, waving flags at his motorcade.

Mr Lavrov said on Monday that the Western reaction to Russia's veto bordered on "hysteria".

Lavro's office said he was heading to Damascus to seek "the swiftest stabilization of the situation in Syria".

Growing violence

During his visit the violence in Homs has continued. Hundreds of people have been killed since the heavy bombardment began on Friday.

At least another 95 people were killed on Monday, according to activists. These numbers have not yet been independently verified.

Today's bombardments have mostly been concentrated around the Baba Amr district, activist Mohammed al-Hassan told Reuters news agency.  

He said:  There is no electricity and all communications with the neighborhood has been cut."

Death toll

The UN has stopped estimating the death toll in Syria after it had passed more than 5,400 in January, saying it was too difficult to confirm the numbers.

Human rights groups and activists say that more than 7,000 people have been killed by the Syrian government since the uprising began.

A new international initiative on Syria has now been promised by Turkey.

Opposition talks

President Assad has asked Russia to lead talks with the opposition forces, in a bid to end the violence, said Lavrov after their meeting today.

 "It's clear that the  efforts to end the violence must be accompanied with the initiation of  a dialog among all political forces,'' he said. "Today we received confirmation of the Syrian president's readiness to cooperate on this."

President Assad announced that there will be set a date for a new constitutional referendum.