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26 April 2011
Last updated at 07:23 ET
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has said he "utterly condemns" the violence being used by Syrian forces against pro-democracy demonstrators.
He demanded "accountability for the deaths that have occurred" and said the UK and its partners were considering "further measures" against Damascus.
The government crackdown intensified on Monday and activists say more than 20 people were killed.
All UK citizens in Syria are being advised to leave as soon as possible.
At least 350 people have reportedly been killed since mid-March in protests calling for political reform. Many demonstrators are demanding that President Bashar al-Assad step down.
'Genuine reform' In a statement, Mr Hague said: "I condemn utterly any violence and killings perpetrated by the Syrian security forces against civilians who are expressing their views in peaceful protests.
"This violent repression must stop. President Assad should order his authorities to show restraint and to respond to the legitimate demands of his people with immediate and genuine reform, not with brutal repression."
He continued: "The United Kingdom is working intensively with our international partners to persuade the Syrian authorities to stop the violence and respect basic and universal human rights to freedoms of expression and assembly.
"This includes working with our partners on the United Nations Security Council to send a strong signal to the Syrian authorities that the eyes of the international community are on Syria, and with our partners in the EU and the region on possible further measures."
Mr Hague's intervention came as the UK, France, Germany and Portugal are reported to have drawn up a draft statement condemning the violence, which is being circulated among other United Nations members.
The Foreign Office is advising against all travel to Syria and urging any British nationals in the country to leave.
It is warning those who choose to remain that they are unlikely to receive full consular support from the British Embassy in the event of the situation worsening.
The United States is also advising its citizens to leave Syria and the state department says some non-essential embassy staff and all embassy dependants will be recalled.
US officials also say the Obama administration is considering imposing sanctions on President Assad's government.
On Monday, tanks were sent into Deraa, the town at the centre of protests, and activists say troops opened fire killing more than 25 people - although that claim has not been independently verified.
Security forces also reportedly opened fire in a suburb of Damascus on Monday, and there are unconfirmed reports of further shooting in Deraa on Tuesday.
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He demanded "accountability for the deaths that have occurred" and said the UK and its partners were considering "further measures" against Damascus.
The government crackdown intensified on Monday and activists say more than 20 people were killed.
All UK citizens in Syria are being advised to leave as soon as possible.
At least 350 people have reportedly been killed since mid-March in protests calling for political reform. Many demonstrators are demanding that President Bashar al-Assad step down.
'Genuine reform' In a statement, Mr Hague said: "I condemn utterly any violence and killings perpetrated by the Syrian security forces against civilians who are expressing their views in peaceful protests.
"This violent repression must stop. President Assad should order his authorities to show restraint and to respond to the legitimate demands of his people with immediate and genuine reform, not with brutal repression."
He continued: "The United Kingdom is working intensively with our international partners to persuade the Syrian authorities to stop the violence and respect basic and universal human rights to freedoms of expression and assembly.
"This includes working with our partners on the United Nations Security Council to send a strong signal to the Syrian authorities that the eyes of the international community are on Syria, and with our partners in the EU and the region on possible further measures."
Mr Hague's intervention came as the UK, France, Germany and Portugal are reported to have drawn up a draft statement condemning the violence, which is being circulated among other United Nations members.
The Foreign Office is advising against all travel to Syria and urging any British nationals in the country to leave.
It is warning those who choose to remain that they are unlikely to receive full consular support from the British Embassy in the event of the situation worsening.
The United States is also advising its citizens to leave Syria and the state department says some non-essential embassy staff and all embassy dependants will be recalled.
US officials also say the Obama administration is considering imposing sanctions on President Assad's government.
On Monday, tanks were sent into Deraa, the town at the centre of protests, and activists say troops opened fire killing more than 25 people - although that claim has not been independently verified.
Security forces also reportedly opened fire in a suburb of Damascus on Monday, and there are unconfirmed reports of further shooting in Deraa on Tuesday.
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