Updated at 10:00

SYRIAN SECURITY FORCES have continued to fire shells at the city of Hama as the UN Security Council met in New York to discuss the worsening situation in the country. More discussions are expected today.

Around 130 people are thought to have been killed by forces loyal to president Bashar Assad since Sunday with 24 civilians reported to have been killed across Syria on Monday alone, according to the Telegraph.

Ten were killed following protests after evening prayers as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan got under way.

BBC News reports that such protests are likely to continue during the month unless there is an end to government violence which has so far failed to scare protesters off the streets despite the deaths.

This morning, Italy’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement announcing it was recalling its ambassador to Syria for consultations over the government’s “horrible repression against the civilian population”. Italy also called on other EU members to follow suit and recall their diplomatic envoys.

Syrian protesters are calling for pro-democracy reforms and in some cases for the end of president Assad’s rule. The president insists that he will introduce reforms but that his security forces are coming under attack from armed gangs who are backed by foreign powers.

The UN Security Council met Monday evening with Western powers demanding a condemnation of the violence but the closed session ended with no agreement and more talks are expected today.

A statement condemning the violence is the most likely outcome from the talks.

There is unlikely to be any resolution or warning of UN action if the violence continues, as was the case in Libya where international forces have intervened to aid the cause of those fighting against the rule of Muammar Gaddafi.

Yesterday, Europe imposed sanctions on Syria including freezing assets and issuing travels bans against five military and government officials, bringing to 35 the total number of individuals in Syria targeted by the EU including president Assad.

- additional reporting from AP