US denounces civilians' killings in Syria

Washington, June 8 (IANS) The White House has denounced the reported killings of civilians in the Qubair village in Syria's Hama province, calling for joint efforts in support of a political transition in the Arab country.

"The United States strongly condemns the outrageous targeted killings of civilians including women and children in Qubair in Hama province as reported by multiple credible sources," Xinhua quoted White House spokesman Jay Carney saying in a statement Thursday.

"This, coupled with the Syrian regime's refusal to let UN observers into the area to verify these reports, is an affront to human dignity and justice," he said.

Earlier Thursday, Syria's state TV rejected as "categorically baseless" media reports claiming that shelling by government troops killed about 90 people in the village. Rather, it blamed armed groups for the massacre committed Wednesday.

"There is no justification for this regime's continued defiance of its obligations under the Annan plan," Carney said, adding "Assad's continued abdication of responsibility for these horrific acts has no credibility and only further underscores the illegitimate and immoral nature of his rule."

"We call once more on all nations to abandon support for this brutal and illegitimate regime, and to join together to support a political transition in Syria -- one that upholds the promise of a future for which far too many have already died," he said.