The UN Security Council has condemned¹ the Syrian government for its deadly crackdown on protesters.

联合国安理会谴责叙利亚政府对反抗者实行的血腥镇压。

It is the first clear condemnation² issued by the Security Council, which includes longstanding allies of Syria such as Russia.

The statement was adopted over the fears of some members that any action could lead to Libya-style intervention³.

It comes as the Syrian army attacks Hama, a centre of opposition⁴ protest, with reports of much loss of life.

Dozens of people are believed to have been killed in the action against Hama, with residents saying tanks have now shot their way into Assi (Orontes) Square, in the centre of the city of 800,000 people.

Human rights groups say at least 140 people have been killed in the Syrian unrest since Sunday, mainly in Hama, adding to a civilian⁵ death toll⁶ believed to be more than 1,600 since March.

Protesters have vowed⁷ to rally every evening during the holy month of Ramadan, after nightly prayers.

Late on Wednesday, there were reports of large demonstrations⁸ in several Syrian cities.

Activists⁹ told AFP news agency that 50,000 people demonstrated in the eastern city of Deir al-Zour, 20,000 in Duma, north of Damascus, and 40,000 in Homs.

At least four people were killed when troops fired on protesters in Damascus, near the southern city of Deraa, and in the central town of Palmyra.

'Brutally¹⁰ shocking'

In Wednesday's statement, the council says it "condemns¹¹ the widespread violations¹² of human rights and the use of force against civilians¹³ by the Syrian authorities".

It says those responsible for the violence should be held accountable.

European members of the 15-nation council had pushed for a strong resolution condemning¹⁴ the Syrian government and calling for a rights inquiry¹⁵.

The BBC's correspondent at the UN in New York, Barbara Plett, says the statement is weaker than what the European states wanted, but stronger than might have been expected given the opposition from some members to saying anything on Syria.

The statement stressed that the only solution to the crisis was a Syrian-led political process, in effect ruling out outside intervention, says our UN correspondent.

It also called for "an immediate¹⁶ end to all violence and urges all sides to act with utmost（极度的） restraint, and to refrain from（避免） reprisals¹⁷（报复） , including attacks against state institutions."

Observers say the phrase is a concession¹⁸（让步） to Russia and other governments that said they wanted a balanced statement that placed some blame with both sides.

Syria's neighbour, Lebanon, while not blocking the statement, disassociated itself from the text after it was adopted - a procedure last used decades ago.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the statement represented "the clear message of the international community" to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"The world has watched the deteriorating¹⁹（退化，恶化） situation in Syria with the most profound concern. But the events of the past few days have been brutally shocking," Mr Ban said.

"Just continuing like this is not sustainable. He cannot and they cannot carry on like this, killing²⁰ their people."