BBC News with Jonathan Izard
The UN special envoy for Syria Kofi Annan has told President Assad that Syria is at a
tipping point
following the killing of more than 100 civilians in the town of Houla. In talks in Damascus, Mr Annan said the Syrian army and all militias supporting it must stop all military operations, and he urged Mr Assad to take immediate bold steps to implement the six-point peace plan.
"In my meeting with President Assad, I conveyed in frank terms the great concern of the international community about the violence in Syria, including the recent shocking events in Houla. I should note that he condemned the killings too. The Security Council has made clear the need for these killings to be investigated and for those responsible to be held accountable."
The United Nations human rights office says its investigations into the killings in Houla show that the majority of the victims, including children, were
summarily
executed. A UN spokesman said its monitors in Syria found that fewer than 20 died from artillery fire. He said eyewitnesses had blamed pro-government militias.
A top Vatican official has called the recent series of leaks of
confidential
papal documents a 'brutal personal attack' on Pope Benedict. He said they included private thoughts and even strong criticism from people who had written to the Pope in confidence. The documents allege corruption and bitter power struggles to the high level in the Roman Catholic Church. David Willey is in Rome.