Syria has seen some of its bloodiest violence yet in the last number of days with reports of at least 150 killed. Reports by opposition forces say that 41 people died in Hama on Sunday following shelling by Syrian army forces. According to the Hama Revolution leadership Council, Syrian army tanks opened fire on a number of neighbourhoods throughout the city.

Elsewhere at least 108 people are now thought to have died in a heavy artillery bombardment by the Syrian army on the village of  Houla. The attack has met with fresh international condemnation, however Russia has questioned reports coming out of Houla. UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan is due to visit Syria in an effort to keep his brokered peace plan for the region on track