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Syrian town of Rastan 'surrounded by tanks' Syrian town of Rastan 'surrounded by tanks'
(about 3 hours later)
Syrian tanks and armoured vehicles have surrounded the town of Rastan, north of Homs, which has been the site of anti-regime dissent, activists say.Syrian tanks and armoured vehicles have surrounded the town of Rastan, north of Homs, which has been the site of anti-regime dissent, activists say.
Residents reported heavy machine gun fire by security forces at the entrance to the town. Residents reported heavy machine-gun fire by security forces at the entrance to the town.
Most foreign journalists have been barred from Syria, making it difficult to verify reports from the country.Most foreign journalists have been barred from Syria, making it difficult to verify reports from the country.
The UN says more than 2,200 people have died since protests against President Bashar al-Assad began in March.The UN says more than 2,200 people have died since protests against President Bashar al-Assad began in March.
Rastan has been caught up in the protests taking place across the country and correspondents say that dissent has continued there despite harsh repression.Rastan has been caught up in the protests taking place across the country and correspondents say that dissent has continued there despite harsh repression.
"The tanks deployed at both banks of the highway, which remained open, and fired long bursts from their machine guns at Rastan," one resident told Reuters news agency by phone."The tanks deployed at both banks of the highway, which remained open, and fired long bursts from their machine guns at Rastan," one resident told Reuters news agency by phone.
Unconfirmed reports from activists say that the latest move was prompted by defections among Syrian troops in the area, the agency reports. Unconfirmed reports from activists say the latest move was prompted by defections among Syrian troops in the area, the agency reports.
It was announced on Sunday that Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi is due to visit Syria to try to resolve the crisis in the country. Monday's fighting has caused many of the town's inhabitants to flee.
Further to the north-west, tanks and troops are reported to have stormed the town of Sarmin, in Idlib province, taking up positions in the central market and firing randomly to keep people off the streets, according to activists.
Other attacks were reported near Deir ez-Zor in the east, and near the Lebanese border in the west.
Opposition council
Meanwhile, Syrian opposition leaders meeting in the Turkish capital, Ankara, have announced the formation of a Transitional National Council to provide political leadership for the uprising, reports the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut.
The council will be made up of 94 members, including some leaders still inside Syria and others outside.
It seems to be the most serious attempt so far to unite the opposition on a single platform, but it remains to be seen whether it will gain universal acceptance by all strands of the opposition, especially the activists on the ground, adds our correspondent.
It was announced on Sunday that Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi was due to visit Syria to try to resolve the crisis in the country.
Russia is also sending a senior envoy.
Both the Turkish president and his prime minister have made further outspoken criticisms of the Syrian leadership, saying it is now too late for corrective steps and reform offers.