Several countries expel Syrian diplomats GENEVA — Most of the 108 people killed in the Syrian town of Houla were civilians and entire families were shot in their homes, the UN human rights office said Tuesday. Witnesses and survivors have told UN investigators that most victims died in two bouts of summary executions carried out by pro-government “shabbiha” militiamen in the nearby village of Taldaou last Friday, UN rights spokesman Rupert Colville said. “It is believed at this point, and I would stress we are at very preliminary stages, that under 20 of the 108 can be attributed to artillery and tank fire,” he added. “What is very clear is that this was an absolutely abominable event that took place in Houla, and at least a substantial part of it were summary executions of civilians,” he said. “At this point it looks like entire families were shot in their houses,” he said. Some 49 children and 34 women were among the known victims, but the toll was not definitive, Colville said, adding: “There are reports of more deaths.” “Almost half of the ones we know of so far are children — that is totally unpardonable — and a very large number of women as well,” Colville said. Increasing pressure on Damascus, several countries including US, France, Australia, Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy and Canada have ordered expulsion of senior Syrian diplomats protesting against the Houla massacre. French President Francois Hollande said Ambassador Lamia Shakkour will be notified “today or tomorrow” that she must leave. British officials said three Syrian diplomats are being expelled in protest at the killings. Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said the Syrian diplomats and their families have five days to leave the country. Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said Charge d'Affaires Jawdat Ali, the most senior Syrian diplomat in Australia, is to be expelled along with another diplomat from the Syrian embassy. Syria's main opposition coalition welcomed the expulsion. “The Syrian National Council welcomes the expulsion of the ambassadors,” a statement said. In Damascus, meanwhile, Kofi Annan conveyed to President Bashar Al-Assad “the grave concern of the international community about the violence in Syria, including in particular the recent events in Houla,” his office said. The government was upbeat about the talks.
