Australia expels Syrian diplomats

Australia expelled two Syrian diplomats on Tuesday, and said it expected other countries to take similar action.

The move comes in response to the massacre of civilians in the Syrian village of Houla last Friday.

Australia's foreign minister Bob Carr made the announcement.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) FOREIGN MINISTER BOB CARR, SAYING:

"Australians have seen the bodies in Houla and they are appalled. Appalled that a regime could connive or organise the execution, the killing of men, women and children. Australians want that conveyed and the best way of conveying it right now, given the constraints we deal with in the U.N., the U.N. in New York, is to expel Syrian diplomats from Australia."

The U.N. Security Council has condemned last week's killing of at least 108 people, including dozens of children, in Houla.

On Monday, China also expressed its concern over the violence, saying it condemned the "cruel killings".

However, China and Russia have previously blocked U.N. Security Council attempts to force stronger action against Damascus.

Travis Brecher, Reuters