Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Syrian opposition dismisses assurance to end violence

Updated at 8:16 pm on 8 February 2012

Syria's opposition has dismissed assurances that President Bashar al-Assad is committed to ending the violence sweeping the country.

Mr Assad told visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov he was prepared to cooperate with plans for stability.

Following the talks Mr Lavrov called for a dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition.

But Syrian government forces are continuing to pound the city of Homs and other parts of the country.

Activists and opposition sources say at least 47 civilians have been killed over the past eight hours.

Opposition leaders say it is too late for Mr Assad to offer compromises.

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