Damascus, June 7, (RHC), -- The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has denied a report by the rebel Syrian National Council accusing its forces of killing 100 people in the west-central province of Hama.

In a televised statement the Syrian government said what media had reported on what happened in al-Qubeir, in the Hama region was completely false, blaming the bloodshed on armed terrorist groups.

It also said only nine people were killed in the attack, conflicting with the opposition report of a hundred victims.

The statement was issued after the opposition Syrian National Council claimed that forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad “massacred” about 100 people, including 20 women and 20 children, in the village of al-Qubeir on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Assad government has reportedly given a 24-hours period to anti-government militants to turn in their weapons, warning of a military offensive against the armed gangs after the deadline expires.

Al-Assad has allegedly informed the UN-Arab League envoy, Kofi Annan, of the warning in a letter, according to an unconfirmed source.

The letter has made it clear that a military offensive against militants will follow the 24-hour deadline. The UN has given no response to the letter yet.

Violence has escalated in Syria since the UN-brokered ceasefire came into effect weeks ago.

Thousands, including members of security forces, have been killed in the turmoil that began in Syria in March 2011. Syria says foreign-sponsored “saboteurs and terrorists” are responsible for the killings, while Western and Arab nation accuse Damascus of indiscriminately killing peaceful protesters and civilians. /PRESSTV

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