Britain discusses with partners ways to end violence in Syria

"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," the British Foreign Ministry quoted Hague as saying.

"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."

Hague condemned utterly any violence and killings perpetrated by the Syrian security forces against civilians who were expressing their views in peaceful protests.

"The stability of Syria matters to the people of Syria, but also to the region. The only path to stability is through serious reforms, genuinely and speedily implemented, to address the legitimate demands of peaceful protesters," said Hague.

France called on the UN Security Council and the European Union to take serious action to stop the use of force against civilians in Syria, deputy spokeswoman for the French Foreign Ministry Christine Fage earlier on Tuesday.

Mass protests started in Deraa, on the border with Jordan, on March 18 in response to the arrest of a group of schoolchildren who wrote anti-government graffiti on some walls. The unrest later spread to other Syrian regions. Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version