Syrian diplomat compares uprising to London riots

The Syrian Ambassador to the UN has compared his government's response to the uprising in Syria to David Cameron's handling of the 2011 August riots which began in London, according to the Telegraph.

Bashar Jaafari said: "Our national security is...important. We are a sovereign state and in all the presidential statements there is a clear cut reference to safeguarding the sovereignty of Syria."

"You may remember the Prime Minister of England what he said one day when the troubles erupted in London. He said that when it is related to the national security don't talk to me about human rights."

It is estimated that 15,000 people have been killed since Syrian uprisings began in March 2011. Five people are known to have died during the four days of civil disorder in Britain last August.