EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told the European Parliament that the UN Security Council action on Syria was long overdue. "I hope we will see action in the Security Council," she said at a plenary session of the parliament in Strasbourg. "That all members will take their responsibilities, and respond to this and respond to what the UN Commissioner for Human Rights has said, with a great sense of urgency."
The Security Council hasn't yet acted against Syria because of opposition from China and Russia.
Ashton expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Syria, where parts of the country are cut off from electricity, water and basic services. The most affected area, she said, was the city of Homs, a center of the lingering conflict.
"The UN reports the number of victims has reached 5,000 people and this may be a conservative estimate," Ashton said.
"The situation is totally unacceptable. The brutal repression of civilians must stop. Assad must listen to his people, to his neighbours, to the Arab partners, to Europe, to the world," she added.
"The Arab League has our full support in their demands to the Syrian regime including the immediate cessation of violence, withdrawal of the military from cities, and the granting of humanitarian and media access," she declared.
At a EU-Russia Summit in Brussels on Thursday, EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy said he asked Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Moscow's support for the action of the UN Security Council and to the Arab League Plan.
Meanwhile, Russia proposed a new stronger United Nations Security Council resolution on the violence in Syria. Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, Thursday circulated the draft. It condemns the violence by all parties in Syria, but stops short of calling for sanctions.