"Slovenia has been strongly condemning since the outbreak of the crisis in Syria the almost fifteen-month long intensifying of brutal violence and systematic violations of human rights by the Syrian authorities," the ministry said in today's press release.

"We were horrified by the news of the recent killing of more than a hundred people - including 49 children and 34 women - in the Syrian town of Houla. The Foreign Ministry strongly condemned this atrocity and expressed hope that the perpetrators will face consequences," it added.

The ministry also backed the six-point plan by the UN's and the Arab League's special envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan, "as the only right opportunity for Syria to avoid a civil war of wider proportions".

"Military operations must be fully stopped immediately and the devastating humanitarian situation in Syria and its neighbouring countries must be tackled appropriately," according to the ministry.