Protesters attack Syrian embassy (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Protesters attack Syrian embassy

4:07am Saturday 4th February 2012 in National News © Press Association 2011

Five people have been arrested after gaining entry to the Syrian embassy in London as a protest erupted at the building, Scotland Yard said.

Around 150 demonstrators descended on the embassy in Belgrave Square amid reports of more than 200 people killed in a deadly barrage in the city of Homs.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said a number of people were arrested for public order offences after the demonstration broke out at 2am on Saturday and "appropriate policing" was in place.

Windows were reportedly smashed at the building as the protest broke out.

The Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Officers are at the scene and appropriate policing is in place. Five males gained entry to the building. They have now been arrested."

It comes as the United Nations Security Council prepares to meet on Saturday to take up a much-negotiated resolution backing an Arab League peace plan for Syria.

At least 5,500 people have died in the country since pro-democracy campaigners took to the streets last year protesting against President Bashar Assad's regime.

The movement at the UN came as activists said Syrian forces used tanks and machine guns to kill at least 200 people and wound hundreds in Homs, in what appeared to be the bloodiest episode since the uprising began.

The move towards a vote came after US secretary of state Hillary Clinton spoke by telephone with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in a bid to overcome Russian opposition to any statement that explicitly calls for regime change or military intervention in Syria.

Western powers have ruled out military action but want the world body to endorse an Arab League plan that calls on the president to hand power over to Syria's vice president.