Hundreds of shells and mortar bombs were reported to be falling every hour, while the insurgents were unable to retaliate with anything more effective than small arms fire. Amateur footage showing shelling in Homs 20.42 The Telegraph's Alex Spillius's story in Tuesday's paper on Britain recalling its ambassador from Syria: Britain on Monday recalled its ambassador to Syria in protest at the continued onslaught against civilians by Bashar al-Assad's regime, as the United States closed its embassy in Damascus and withdrew its staff amid fears for their security. With diplomatic pressure intensifying on Syria, William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, also summoned the country's ambassador in London to express his "abhorrence" at "violence that is utterly unacceptable to the civilised world." 20.02 The Telegraph's David Blair considers the options open to Britain, France and America after the UN security council veto - and the likelihood of those options becoming reality: The double veto cast by Russia and China in the United Nations Security Council has forced Western governments to reappraise their approach towards Syria. Britain, France and America will now be considering other ways of turning up the heat on President Assad's regime. Their options are: 1) Taking further diplomatic and economic measures. 2) Helping the Free Syrian Army. A wounded girl sits near her relatives in Baba Amro, Homs 19.37 A senior US Treasury Department official will travel to Russia and the Middle East for talks about sanctions on Syria and Iran. The Treasury Department's assistant secretary for terrorist financing Daniel Glaser will visit Doha, Muscat and Moscow from February 6-10. Talks will detail "the need for authorities to remain vigilant against attempts by the Syrian regime to evade international sanctions," according to a Treasury statement. 19.04 Switzerland has added 34 top Syrian military and interior ministry officials as well as pro-regime organisations to a travel ban list. The Swiss list now has 108 names on it, a statement said, adding that the expanded travel ban would now extend to Finance Minister Mohammad Al-Jleilati and Economy Minister Nidal Mohammad Al-Shaar. The other officials targeted on Monday include chief of staff, Fahid Al-Jassim, for his involvement in violence in the flashpoint city of Homs and his deputy Ibrahim Al Hassan. Syrians outside a hospital, which activists say was hit in an early morning bombardment by regime forces, in Homs 18.16 The White House has warned Syria's allies that backing President Bashar al-Assad was a "losing bet" after China and Russia blocked a UN Security Council resolution condemning his crackdown. White House spokesman Jay Carney said: Betting everything on Assad is a recipe for failure. 17.59 Activists now reporting 66 civilians killed across Syria today, including 42 in Homs. 17.56 The Pentagon said the latest defections of senior officers from Syria's military were "noteworthy" as the regime in Damascus sought to crush protests. Pentagon press secretary George Little said: It is noteworthy that we're seeing some high level defections, senior Syrian military officials defecting into the opposition. The focus remains on applying intense diplomatic and economic pressure on the Assad regime and we believe that there is a strong chance that that pressure can yield results on behalf of the Syrian people and those who are oppressed in Syria. 17.55 The BBC's Paul Wood reports from Homs: The Obama administration has closed the US Embassy in Damascus 17.26 Poland has said it would represent US interests in Syria, after Washington closed its embassy there. A Polish foreign ministry statement said: The US Department of State - taking into account the special nature of Polish-American relations and Poland's position in the Middle East - requested that the authorities of the Republic of Poland represent US interests in Syria. In keeping with the principle of international solidarity and the long tradition of Polish-American friendship, Poland has agreed to the request. 17.13 Telegraph video of William Hague saying the Russian and Chinese veto of UN action against President Assad's regime has betrayed the Syrian people and made civil war more likely: 16.41 Residents of Homs have described scenes of panic and carnage in the city of central Syria. Wael, a resident contacted by AFP by telephone said: What is happening is indescribable. Security forces have been relentlessly shelling the city since this morning. On the streets, there are only bodies and wounded people along with tanks. There are tanks everywhere. People are in a state of panic and they are screaming, 'May God help us' or 'Where are the Arabs?' We feel like the world has abandoned us.