Differences over Syria show up between EU and Moscow

EuroNews:  With images continuing to emerge of unrest in Syria, diplomatic efforts to stop the violence there are being stepped up.

After the Arab League suspended Damascus for failing to comply with a peace plan, Russian and EU officials have been discussing their differences over the crisis.

Moscow says it does not agree with calls for embattled President Bashar al-Assad to immediately step down.

But Brussels has repeated its message: the time has come for Assad to resign.

Catherine Ashton, the European Union foreign policy chief, said: “The future of Syria now depends upon the ability of all of us to keep pressure on them to see that there is a need to stop this violence, to listen to the people, and to find a way to move forward. And I do hope that we will see significant movement in that direction in the next coming days.”

Turkey, once a close ally of Damascus, is considering imposing sanctions on Syria. It is also reported to have hosted opponents of Assad.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said:

“Syria may not be attracting attention as much as Libya because it does not have enough oil. But I want to stress that those killed in Syria are as human as those killed in Libya.”

With news that scores of soldiers have defected from the Syrian army, and begun attacking military targets, Russia is warning of a civil war in the country.