New York - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday denounced Syrian forces' bombardment of the city of Homs in a statement that said it was “unacceptable before humanity” and eroded the legitimacy of the Damascus government.

The sustained assault on several districts of Homs, which has become a centre of armed opposition to President Bashar al-Assad, killed at least 50 people on Monday, according to the Syrian National Council opposition group.

The statement issued by Ban's spokesperson Martin Nesirky, the latest and one of the strongest UN condemnations of Syrian government tactics, said Ban was “appalled” by the mounting death toll.

“Such violence is totally unacceptable before humanity,” it said. “No government can commit such acts against its people without its legitimacy being eroded.”

The statement said Ban “strongly condemns” the onslaught. The failure of the UN Security Council on Saturday to pass a resolution on Syria because of vetoes by Russia and China, “gives no license to the Syrian authorities to step up attacks on the Syrian population,” it added.

“All violence must end immediately,” the statement said. “The Secretary-General reminds the government of Syria that it is accountable under international human rights law for all acts of violence perpetrated by its security forces against the civilian population.”

Ban called for “an inclusive Syrian-led political process, in accordance with international law, that respects the will and legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people to a democratic and pluralistic political system.” - Reuters