Government denies attack that killed 90

DAMASCUS (AP):

Syria's foreign ministry spokesman has denied government troops were behind an attack on a string of villages that left more than 90 people dead.

Friday's assault on Houla, an area northwest of the central city of Homs, was one of the bloodiest single events in Syria's 15-month-old uprising.

Jihad Makdissi told reporters in Damascus at a Sunday news conference that Syria is being subjected to a "tsunami of lies" blaming the government. He said anti-government gunmen carried the attack.

"We categorically deny the responsibility of government forces for the massacre," Makdissi said.

Makdissi says a committee was sent to investigate the case and results should be out within three days.

He added that United Nation envoy Kofi Annan will be in Syria today.