B World THE PRESS, CHRISTCHURCH Saturday,Saturday & March Sunday, 3, March 2012 3-4, 2012 B1 SYRIA Journalists escape from Homs James Hider London, Alexander Christie-Miller Istanbul At least three and Nicholas Blanford Beirut families have The last of the Western ‘ been slaughtered journalists trapped in Homs escaped to safety yesterday as in the same Syrian government troops manner, some PLANET OF seized control of the city and beheaded, in the the opposition warned of a THE APPS potential massacre. past 48 hours. Skype’s the limit as Edith Bouvier, a French Waleed reporter whose leg was shat- citizen journalist orangutans tered by heavy shelling, and connect with iPads. William Daniels, a photogra- pher, were smuggled across affects civilians will see a the Lebanese border. severe response.’’ ❯❯ WORLD B4 French President Nicolas Red Crescent workers said Sarkozy, who spoke to that they were unable to Bouvier by phone, said: access the area. The Inter- ‘‘Edith Bouvier and William national Committee of the Daniels are safely in Lebanon Red Cross and the Syrian Red and will very shortly be under Crescent will not be allowed the protection of our embassy to enter Baba Amr until in Beirut.’’ today. Bouvier was expected to be Video footage from the flown to France on board a enclave showed tanks and French government aircraft troops moving through the as soon as doctors thought she devastation, as desperate was able to travel, he said. residents gathered snow in The Sunday Times pho- buckets, having run out of tographer Paul Conroy, who drinking water as well as was also injured in the city’s food, medicine and fuel. Baba Amr district, reached The United Nations Secur- Lebanon on Wednesday. ity Council issued a statement Marie Colvin, the Sunday yesterday, backed by China Times reporter, and Remi and Russia, calling on the CLASS Ochlik, a French photogra- authorities to allow access to pher, were killed in last humanitarian missions. CONFUSION week’s shellings. A Syrian With security rapidly activist network last night worsening, Britain said it was ‘You stay working posted on the internet a video closing its embassy in class all your life, of Colvin’s funeral in Homs, Damascus and withdrawing so be proud of it.’ which was said to have taken its remaining staff. place on Tuesday. The fall of Baba Amr As the symbolic heart of deprives the rebels of their ❯❯ WORLD B7 the uprising fell to forces main stronghold and frees commanded by President regime forces to crush dissent Under siege: Members of the Free Syrian Army are seen deployed in Homs. The rebel army is retreating under relentless fire from Bashar al Assad’s forces and says it cannot protect the Bashar al-Assad’s brother, elsewhere. The lightly armed city’s population any more. Photo: REUTERS Maher, the few reports rebels had faced 7000 troops leaking out of the besieged backed by tanks, artillery and district spoke of carnage. helicopters, in an area that Avaaz, the human rights had been shelled non-stop for group, which still has lines of almost a month. communication to Baba Amr, ‘‘The Syrian Army con- Russia shifts position on Assad quoted witnesses who trols all of Baba Amr,’’ a claimed that hundreds of security official in Damascus James Harding London and Richard Council. But Moscow tion and suggested that he whether this was not a bodies lay in the streets and said. ‘‘The last pockets of Beeston Moscow hardened its stance towards might stay in power for challenge to the country’s rubble of bombed houses. It resistance have fallen.’’ the country yesterday when it another 12 years. ‘‘If it is OK fledgling democracy he cited said 17 people had been found The FSA said: ‘‘We, the Russia yesterday signalled a voted in favour of a statement and the people like it then it is former British prime minis- beheaded on farmland just Baba Amr brigade, have dramatic shift in its policy deploring its decision to block normal. If it means clinging to ter Tony Blair’s decision to outside Baba Amr, six from decided to strategically with- towards Syria, insisting that a visit by Baroness Amos, the your chair then it is not stand down as prime minister the same family. draw for the sake of the it had no special relationship UN’s human rights chief. normal,’’ Putin said. and hand power to Gordon An Avaaz-trained citizen civilians remaining inside the with President Bashar al- ‘‘When Bashar al-Assad Opinion polls suggest that Brown without an election. journalist called Waleed said: neighbourhood. Assad and that it was up to came to power he visited he will comfortably win more ‘‘Is that democratic?’’ he JAMES BOND ‘‘At least three families have ‘‘The humanitarian situ- the Syrians to decide who London and other European than 50 per cent of the vote in asked. ‘‘We don’t do that – we been slaughtered in the same ation is at its worst, as there is should rule their country. capitals first,’’ Putin said. the presidential polls. He first have elections.’’ FILM CHIC manner, some beheaded, in no food whatsoever, no Speaking on the eve of his ‘‘We don’t have a special came to power as prime Nevertheless, Putin’s the past 48 hours.’’ medicines, no water and no expected return to the relationship with Syria. We minister in 1999, then won the remarks are likely to infuri- Sharp suits, killer The retreating Free Syrian electricity. Kremlin as president, only have interests in the presidency in 2000 and served ate the growing opposition accessories . how Army (FSA) warned the ‘‘We are also lacking in Vladimir Putin said that conflict being resolved.’’ two four-year terms. movement in Russia that 007 got his look. regime against exacting enough arms to defend the Moscow was concerned about During the interview Putin He has served as prime erupted last year in response revenge on the defenceless civilians. The Assad army has the appalling human rights called Britain a ‘‘great minister for the past four to the announcement that he population, but said that it destroyed most of the civilian situation in cities such as Vladimir Putin country’’, said he would try to years when the constitution would be returning to the ❯❯ WORLD B2 was in no position to protect homes up to now by use of Homs. attend the opening of the was changed to allow a presidency in place of the them any more. missiles from multiple missile ‘‘It is up to the Syrians to Putin urged the West not to London Olympic Games and president to sit for two incumbent Dmitry Medvedev, ‘‘We warn the Assad launchers, helicopters that decide who should run their become emotional despite the suggested future co-operation consecutive six-year terms, who is expected to return to regime against any reaction have attacked Baba Amr from country,’’ Putin said in an rising death toll and the on the Nord Stream gas meaning that he could remain the office of prime minister. that will target civilians and the skies, and tank shelling.’’ interview at his dacha outside stories of widespread human pipeline. He also dropped his in power until 2024. Putin insisted that the job REGULARS we place full responsibility on Turkey said that Syrian Moscow. ‘‘We need to make rights abuses. anti-American rhetoric and Putin insisted that he has swap had been taken purely ❯❯ the regime for the safety of the agents had tried to abduct the sure they stop killing each Until now Russia has been spoke of a strong personal not given any thought to a on political grounds, because On this day B6 civilians caught in the middle FSA’s commander-in-exile, other.’’ one of Syria’s only supporters, relationship with President second six-year term but it he had a higher approval ❯❯ Quote unquote B7 of this,’’ FSA said. Colonel Riad al-Assad, from What was needed in Syria vetoing a resolution last Barack Obama. was clear that he has no rating. ‘‘We needed to take a ‘‘Any action by the regime his base across the Turkish was a ceasefire and negotia- month against Damascus in Putin appeared confident objection to going on for as sober look at whose chances that crosses the limits and border. The Times tions between the parties. the United Nations Security of victory in Monday’s elec- long as possible. Asked were higher.’’ The Times We do Guaranteed we won’t be beaten on price! professional rug repair, hand wash and restoration. Only $9.98 Each Kilim Cushion IDEAL FOR GIFT PRICE TO CLEAR NZ Merino Wool Covers 3M RUNNER Was $298 Only BEAT THIS PRICE OUT THEY GO! 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