Hague condemns Syrian violence

Foreign Secretary William Hague has condemned the "shocking" Syrian security force raids that have killed between 70 and 120 people.

Tanks stormed the city of Hama before dawn in a brutal crackdown on protests over President Bashar Assad's rule.

Bodies lay scattered on the streets following rounds of shelling and gunfire, according to residents.

Raids were also reported in southern Syria and in the suburbs of the capital Damascus.

It comes ahead of the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Monday.

Mr Hague said there was "no justification" for the attacks and called on the President to "stop this assault on his own people".

Death toll mounts in Syrian city

Syrian security forces have killed at least 62 people in an escalation of the crackdown on protests ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, activists and residents said.

Most died in raids on the flashpoint city of Hama, where a barrage of shelling and gunfire left bodies scattered in the streets.

Demonstrations calling for President Bashar Assad's ousting are expected to swell during Ramadan, which starts on Monday.

Security forces appeared to be racing against time as they stormed and raided cities and small villages across the country in an attempt to crush a remarkably resilient uprising that began in mid-March.