UN Security Council envoys have issued a statement condemning human rights violations and use of force against civilians by the Syrian government, amid a tank attack on Hama, a city of 800,000 residents.

The text was adopted on Wednesday after three days of heated discussions by the 15-member body, as a council statement rather than as a resolution.

The statement "condemn widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities".

Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey reports from the UN in New York.