Observers unable to reach site of killings

Syrian troops and local residents are preventing UN observers from reaching a site where 55 people were reportedly killed by pro-government militants, the head of the UN mission in Syria said on Thursday.

"The UN Supervision Mission in Syria dispatched UN observers to Al-Kubeir early on Thursday morning to verify reports of large-scale killings in the village," Major General Robert Mood said in a statement.

He said the observers were stopped at Syrian army checkpoints and in some cases turned back. He said civilians were also stopping the monitors.