The killing fields of Syria

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In a briefing on Tuesday on the situation in the Middle East, Under-Secretary-General for political affairs Lynn Pascoe said the total death toll from the crisis is "certainly well over 7,500" and continues to mount daily.

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He added that there were "credible reports" the toll often exceeded 100 civilian deaths per day.

Pascoe told the 15-nation UNSC that use of military force against the civilian population had driven the "largely peaceful" opposition to resort to armed resistance.

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Nearly 25,000 refugees from Syria were now registered by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in neighbouring countries, and between 100,000 and 200,000 were internally displaced.

Access to water, electricity, medical care and basic food had been limited in many areas, Poscoe said.

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With the bombardment of residential areas in Homs into its fourth week, human rights organisations have reported that nearly 5,000 civilians had been prevented from fleeing to safety by Syrian forces.

Pascoe said the Syrian government has failed to carry out its responsibility to protect its people.

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Noting that the humanitarian consequences of the violence have become "severe", Pascoe said UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos is in the region and is ready to go to Damascus as soon as she is allowed entry into the country.

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Pillay called on the Syrian authorities to cooperate fully with international mechanisms, including with Kofi Annan, the newly appointed Joint Special Envoy of the UN and the Arab League for the crisis in Syria.

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Annan arrives in New York on Thursday to begin talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the Syrian crisis.

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