UNIFIED IN OUTRAGE

‘‘The United States will work with the international community to intensify our pressure on Assad and his cronies, whose rule by murder and fear must come to an end . . . We stand in solidarity with the Syrian people and the peaceful marchers in cities across Syria who have taken to the streets to denounce the massacre in Houla.’’ – Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State.

‘‘Unless the UN Security Council takes urgent steps for the protection of civilians, Annan’s plan is going to go to hell.’’ – Free Syrian Army.

‘‘A heinous act perpetrated by the Syrian regime against its own civilian population. The international community must demand an end to bloodshed.’’ – Baroness Ashton of Upholland, EU foreign policy chief.

‘‘Escalating military action in Syria will end up leading to a civil war in Syria, which no-one wants to see.’’ – Nabil Elaraby, secretarygeneral of the Arab League.

‘‘This indiscriminate killing must stop now. The world cannot sit back and allow this to happen.’’ – Justin Forsyth, Save the Children.

‘‘The scenes of savagery that we have seen on our television screens are revolting, stomach-churning.’’ – Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister.

‘‘Our Arab and Islamic ethics do not allow this criminal mass killing and we must . . . intervene to protect the innocents in Syria. The targeting of the civilians signifies the tragic failure of our collective Arab and international efforts to put an end to the violence.’’ – Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister.