The Guardian published an article by Ian Black headlined 'Syrian violence escalates as UN prepares for conference.'
"Evidence gathered by UN investigators in Syria shows human rights violations, including executions "on an alarming scale", according to a new report on a conflict that is spiralling into "deeper and more destructive violence" and in which sectarian motives now predominate," the article says.
"Against a background of escalating bloodshed and global concern, with gunmen killing seven on Wednesday at a pro-regime TV station near Damascus, the foreign ministers of the world's leading powers have been invited to meet in Geneva on Saturday in a desperate attempt to agree a political exit from the impasse," the article reads.
"The novelty of this event will be participation by Russia and China, which have vetoed action against Assad at the UN and shunned the western-Arab Friends of Syria grouping on the grounds that it is working against the Assad regime," the author says.
"It is unclear, however, whether Moscow will accept the western view that Assad must step aside in favour of a transitional national unity government. Russia has always insisted it would not countenance regime change in Damascus," the article reads.
