Rising Syria deaths raise questions about UN mission

A sharp rise in the number of deaths in the Syrian uprising is casting fresh doubt on the success of a UN peace plan, and testing a ceasefire deal.

(BBC NEWS) Damascus – Activists said nearly 70 people were killed on Monday, most in a government crackdown in the city of Hama.

The US said the UN monitoring mission was “risky and dangerous’.

The UN is pressing to increase its monitors from a handful to 300 and chief envoy Kofi Annan is due to brief the Security Council again on Tuesday.