EU's Ashton calls for 'one voice' against Syria violence

(BRUSSELS) - The world must stand united in demanding a halt to violence in Syria and for President Bashar al-Assad to step down, the European Union's top diplomat Catherine Ashton said Friday.

"I am appalled by the reports of the brutal attacks by the Syrian armed forces in Homs," she said, referring to the assault unleashed by regime forces on Syria's protest hub that activists say has killed more than 450 people since Saturday.

"I condemn in the strongest terms these acts perpetrated by the Syrian regime against its own civilian population," Ashton said in a statement.

"The international community must speak with one voice, demanding an end to the bloodshed and urging Assad to step aside and allow a democratic transition," she stressed.

China and Russia vetoed a week ago a United Nations resolution condemning the violence wrought by the Damascus regime on its population.

Rights groups say that more than 6,000 people have been killed in the country since the protests erupted in mid-March.

"Regional involvement and Arab League leadership" are crucial to addressing the crisis, said Ashton.

"Ahead of the important Arab League meeting on Sunday, I would like to reiterate my support for the Arab League's efforts to stop the violence and bring a better future to the Syrian people," she said.

The Arab League is expected to launch a "Friends of Syria" coalition during their meeting and appoint a special envoy to the strife-torn country, diplomatic sources said.