Cairo embassy is trashed, while police in London detain five people and missions are targeted in other countries

This article is more than 8 years old

This article is more than 8 years old

Five people have been arrested during a demonstration at the Syrian embassy in London, Scotland Yard said. There have been further demonstrations at Syrian missions in other countries over the massacre of civilians in Homs.

In Cairo, Egypt, enraged Syrians again stormed their country's embassy, smashing furniture and equipment and setting fire to parts of the building.

The gate of the embassy in central Cairo was broken and furniture and computers were smashed on the second floor of the building, said a witness. Parts of the first floor were burned, he said.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at a police station a few streets from the embassy to demand the release of six Syrians who they said were detained during the protest at the mission.

In Kuwait, witnesses said demonstrators stormed into the Syrian embassy compound, breaking windows, tearing down the Syrian flag and hoisting the colours of the opposition movement.

About 150 demonstrators descended on the London embassy in Belgrave Square.

A Metropolitan police spokesman said a number of people were arrested for public order offences after the demonstration broke out at 2am. Windows were reportedly smashed at the building as the protest broke out.

Rallies also broke out at Syria's embassies in Germany, Spain, Sweden and the US, according to reports.

One protester in London told the BBC: "We don't know what message the Syrian regime is giving out with this massacre today – given the UN security council vote ... we don't really understand what they're doing. But we must stop the bloodshed in Syria."

Ronan McNern, a supporter of the Occupy London movement, attended the London protest.

"The protesters are being held on the other side of the road from the embassy," he said.

"There are 150 people surrounded by a ring of about 60 police officers, who are carrying truncheons. There are also about 12 police vans.

"It seems all right at the moment.

"The protesters are keeping their spirits up by singing, dancing and playing drums, and they seem to be free to leave the ring. Some of them are waving Syrian flags."

Paint appeared to have been thrown on a door of the embassy, he said.

The United Nations security council is meeting on Saturday to take up a much-negotiated resolution backing an Arab League peace plan for Syria.

At least 5,500 people have died in the country since pro-democracy campaigners took to the streets last year protesting against President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

The movement at the UN came as activists said Syrian forces used tanks and machine guns to kill at least 200 people and wound hundreds in Homs, in what appeared to be the bloodiest episode since the uprising began.