The UN Security Council was to hold a second day of talks on Syria on Tuesday after President Bashar al-Assad’s tanks shelled the protest hub of Hama on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

At least 24 civilians were reported killed across Syria on Monday, an activist said, among them 10 during protests after special evening prayers.

“Ten martyrs fell and several people were wounded by gunfire from security forces during protests in several Syrian towns after the ‘taraweeh’ evening prayers,” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.

He added that the day’s death toll on the first day of the fasting month was 24, and that more than 150 people were taken in for questioning on Monday evening.

The protests came as the UN Security Council held a first session of emergency talks on the deadly crackdown, with Western powers again demanding a condemnation of the violence, but the closed session ended with no agreement.

A top UN official told the meeting that on top of 140 people reported killed in a military offensive on Sunday, 3,000 people have gone missing and 12,000 been taken prisoner since the anti-regime protests erupted in mid-March, diplomats said.

Britain, France, Germany and Portugal hope to revive a formal resolution condemning Assad’s crackdown, a move which will be discussed on Tuesday.

Diplomats said, however, that it was more likely the Security Council would agree a statement, with no warning of UN action.

The UN meeting came after Assad showered praise on his troops to mark Army Day, saying in a speech that the army had “proved its loyalty to its people, country and creed.”

“Its efforts and sacrifices will be admired. These sacrifices succeeded in foiling the enemies of the country and ending sedition, preserving Syria.”

The embattled president also visited wounded soldiers in a Damascus hospital and said “all Syrians appreciate the army,” state news agency SANA reported.