Up to 100 people are feared dead following reports of a massacre in Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says security forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad stormed the coastal village of Baida, killing at least 50 people including women and children.

It said the toll was expected to exceed 100 dead.

Many of those killed appeared to be executed by gunfire or knives, it said, and other bodies were found burned.

It comes as the US Defence Secretary says America is taking a fresh look at whether it should arm Syrian rebels.

Chuck Hagel says no decision has yet been reached - but he said the Pentagon was re-thinking its previous decision not to send weapons to opposition fighters.

Evidence emerged last week that the Assad regime may have used chemical weapons in the ongoing conflict.