The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) called on Friday (June 1st) for an independent probe into the massacre in the Syrian town of Houla.

Forty-one members backed a resolution urging an investigation by the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, set up by the HRC last year. Russia, China and Cuba voted against.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in a statement read to the council Friday that the killings "may amount to crimes against humanity and other international crimes".

Meanwhile, the Free Syrian Army said it is resuming "defensive operations" after the expiry of its ultimatum for the regime to respect UN envoy Kofi Annan's plan.

"We will not go on the offensive because we do not want to be singled out as the ones responsible for breaking the peace initiative," said Kassem Saadeddine, a spokesperson for the Free Syrian Army.

Protesters also demonstrated around the country in response to activists' calls for a "volcano of rage" over the Houla killings.

Security forces reportedly opened fire on demonstrators in Douma, Aleppo and Deraa.

Mourners in Qusayr, Homs province, took to the streets Friday for a mass funeral for 12 workers whom activists said were executed by government troops on their way home from their factory on Thursday.

"Regime forces tied their hands behind their backs and shot them," said Salim Kabbani, a member of Syria's opposition local co-ordination committees.