Syrian President Bashar al-Assad greets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Damascus.<br/> <br />Lavrov is meeting with Assad three days after a Russian-Chinese veto of the Arab-backed U.N. resolution calling for a transfer of power.<br/> <br />The veto caused international outrage.<br/> <br />But Lavrov defended the veto, saying it prevented the Security Council from taking sides in a civil war.<br/> <br />Hundreds of flag-waving supporters of President Assad greeted Lavrov on his arrival in the Syrian capital.<br/> <br />According to Russian media, Lavrov began his talks with Assad by saying Moscow wants Arab peoples to live in peace, and the Syrian leader is aware of his responsibility.<br/> <br />He said Assad has assured him Syria is committed to stopping the violence by all sides.<br/> <br />But activists claim Syrian forces have launched a fresh assault on the city of Homs, viewed as a hub of protest and armed opposition against Assad.<br/> <br />They say 95 people were killed during sustained shelling on the city on Monday, and more than 200 on Friday night.<br/> <br />Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
