LONDON: Foreign Secretary William Hague Saturday condemned as "chilling" violence in the Syrian city of Homs, accusing President Bashar Assad of "cold-blooded cynicism."

"I am horrified at reports of an assault on Homs during the night of 3 February which has led to over 200 fatalities," said Hague. "I condemn unequivocally the use of tanks, mortars and artillery in civilian areas."

"It is all the more chilling that these events occurred on the 30th anniversary of the Hama massacre, in which it is estimated that 20,000 people were killed," he added.

Syrian activists say more than 200 civilians were killed when Syrian forces bombarded Homs, in what the activists described as a "massacre."

The Syrian government denies involvement in the early morning assault, which if confirmed would be the deadliest in the 10-month uprising against Assad's regime.

"The Syrian regime's actions display President Assad's cold-blooded cynicism in the face of mounting international pressure for the UN Security Council to do its utmost to end the bloodshed in Syria," Hague said.

"The time is long past for the international community, particularly those that have so far sheltered the Assad regime, to intensify the pressure to end over 10 months of violence," he added.

Russia, a veto-wielding member of the Security Council, opposes any UN resolution that could be used to justify foreign military intervention, call for Assad to quit or impose an arms embargo on Syria.

A diplomat at the United Nations said the Security Council was expected to meet between 1400 and 1500 GMT and vote later on a resolution of condemnation.