Syria Media Coverage_3-12-2012 Morning

Associated Press Activists: Civilians ‘massacred’ in central Syria BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian activists said Monday that pro-government gunmen have killed at least 16 people – including children – in a rebel stronghold recaptured by the government in the embattled central city of Homs.   US officials: Loyal army, inner circle back Assad WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite the Obama administration’s predictions that the Syrian government’s days are numbered, recent U.S. intelligence reports suggest President Bashar Assad commands a formidable army that is unlikely to turn on him, an inner circle that has stayed loyal and an elite class that still supports his rule   New York funeral set for reporter killed in Syria OYSTER BAY, N.Y. (AP) — War correspondent Marie Colvin is being laid to rest in the Long Island community of her childhood where she first decided to become a reporter. CNN What does Washington know about Syria? CNN’s Barbara Starr and Jonathan Mann discuss what information Washington has been able to acquire about Syria.   Arming the Syrian opposition CNN’s Nic Robertson meets Lebanese gun smugglers struggling to supply weapons to anti-Assad forces just over the border.   45 women, children killed in Homs massacre, Syrian opposition says At least 45 women and children were stabbed and burned to death late Sunday in the Syrian city of Homs, opposition activists said, after peace talks between a U.N. special envoy and the Syrian regime failed to yield a cease-fire.   Annan talks Syria peace amid violence Kofi Annan says Syria peace will be tough to reach after two days of talks with Bashar al-Assad. New York Times Military Points to Risks of a Syrian Intervention WASHINGTON — Despite growing calls for the United States to help stop the bloodshed in Syria, senior Pentagon officials are stepping up their warnings that military intervention would be a daunting and protracted operation, requiring at least weeks of exclusively American airstrikes, with the potential for killing vast numbers of civilians and plunging the country closer to civil war. Reuters The firm that keeps heating fuel flowing to Assad’s Syria LONDON, Mar 12 (Reuters) – Oil traders arranging millions of dollars worth of fuel shipments to Syria sit in the office of a little-known firm in Greece. The fuel, liquid petroleum gas for cooking and domestic heating, is not covered by international sanctions against the government of President Bashar al-Assad, but some critics charge that by keeping the supplies flowing the firm, Naftomar, may be lessening the risk to Assad of a wider revolt.   Syria to respond in kind to recalled envoys: diplomat MOSCOW | Mon Mar 12, 2012 9:10am EDT (Reuters) – Damascus is planning to respond in kind to countries that have recalled their ambassadors from Syria in response to President Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown on a year-long uprising, Syria’s envoy to Russia Riad Haddad said on Monday.   Syria’s Assad meets Annan, but gives little ground BEIRUT | Sat Mar 10, 2012 6:57pm EST (Reuters) – Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan held blunt talks with Bashar al-Assad this weekend but appeared to be making little headway, as the Syrian president blamed political bloodshed on “terrorists”.