The Red Cross: Syrian conflict now is civil war

The Red Cross Committee in Geneva is the first international organization to call the violence in Syria a full-blown civil war, meaning international humanitarian law applies throughout the country; parties to the conflict have the right to use appropriate force to achieve their aims and a basis is provided for war crimes prosecution, especially if civilians are attacked.
US intelligence sources question Syrian opposition claims of a massacre at Tremseh near Hama Saturday. They suggest that the heavy death toll was the result of a battle between the Syrian army and rebel forces after the latter attacked a military convoy.
UN mediator Kofi Annan meets Vladimir Putin in Moscow Monday.