This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-16340299

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Syria unrest: Arab League monitors visit restive Homs Syria unrest: Homs residents confront Arab League team
(about 1 hour later)
Arab League peace monitors have arrived in the restive Syrian city of Homs, to be met by tens of thousands of anti-government protesters. Angry protesters have confronted visiting Arab League monitors in Syria's restive city of Homs, demanding international protection.
The observers are verifying an Arab League peace plan that requires an end to the violent crackdown on protests. The observers are verifying compliance with an Arab League plan to end the government's violent crackdown.
Unverified video footage showed Homs residents demanding protection from the monitors. The Arab League said the first day had been "very good". Tens of thousands protested in Homs as the monitors arrived. The Arab League said the first day was "very good".
The UN says more than 5,000 people have been killed in protests since March. Tanks reportedly withdrew before the monitors arrived but activists say some were simply deployed out of sight.
The UN says more than 5,000 people have been killed in protests against President Bashar al-Assad's rule since March.
'Where is the world?''Where is the world?'
The head of the monitors was upbeat about the visit to Homs. The BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon says it was a baptism of fire for the monitors who, after visiting the governor of Homs, travelled to the flashpoint district of Baba Amr.
Sudan's Gen Mustafa Dabi told Reuters news agency: "Today was very good and all sides were responsive." There, our correspondent says, the monitors were besieged by angry residents eager to show the damage to the city and the pools of blood, as gunfire rang out in the background.
Syrian armed forces have made a show of withdrawing from protest flashpoints in the past, only to return when protests resume.Syrian armed forces have made a show of withdrawing from protest flashpoints in the past, only to return when protests resume.
When a UN fact mission came a couple of months ago, they also had trouble in Homs because they attracted a big crowd. As soon as they disappeared, there was shooting and people killed as the security forces dispersed the crowd.When a UN fact mission came a couple of months ago, they also had trouble in Homs because they attracted a big crowd. As soon as they disappeared, there was shooting and people killed as the security forces dispersed the crowd.
This illustrates just how difficult this mission will be. The monitors seem to have finished for the day and they will be back again in the same place on Wednesday, apparently. But this is a big country and it is going to be very hard for the monitors to be sure they have got tabs on things happening everywhere at all times. It will be virtually impossible with a handful of observers. This illustrates just how difficult this mission will be.
This is a big country and it is going to be very hard for the monitors to be sure they have got tabs on things happening everywhere at all times. It will be virtually impossible with a handful of observers.
Video footage showed residents arguing with the monitors, trying to get them to go further inside Baba Amr to see the victims.
The residents in the video shout: "We want international protection" and "Where is the world?"
One of the monitors says that he is not authorised to speak.
There are reports of several people being killed and injured in Homs while the monitors were there.
The head of the monitors was upbeat about the visit.
Sudan's Gen Mustafa Dabi told Reuters news agency: "Today was very good and all sides were responsive."
He added: "I am returning to Damascus for meetings and I will return tomorrow to Homs. The team is staying in Homs."He added: "I am returning to Damascus for meetings and I will return tomorrow to Homs. The team is staying in Homs."
But Abdul Omar, a spokesman for the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told the BBC he had hoped for better results from the mission and that 10 observers for Homs was never going to be enough. However, our correspondent says the results were mixed at best, and the visit brought home how complex the situation is.
He said tens of thousands of people had come out on to the streets to demonstrate in one district of Homs but that the monitors did not go there. Abdul Omar, a spokesman for the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told the BBC he had hoped for better results from the mission and that 10 observers for Homs was never going to be enough.
He said tens of thousands of people had come out onto the streets to demonstrate in one district of Homs but that the monitors did not go there.
Mr Omar said the Syrian government was playing cat-and-mouse with the protesters by withdrawing tanks from parts of the city.Mr Omar said the Syrian government was playing cat-and-mouse with the protesters by withdrawing tanks from parts of the city.
He called on the Arab League to raise the Syrian situation immediately with the UN Security Council to obtain a meaningful resolution against the government.He called on the Arab League to raise the Syrian situation immediately with the UN Security Council to obtain a meaningful resolution against the government.
Eyewitness Abu Rami told the BBC the protesters numbered 50,000 and there had been attacks by the government forces, leaving eight dead. Eyewitness Abu Rami told the BBC the security forces had changed clothes to appear like normal civilians.
He said the security forces had changed clothes to appear like normal civilians. Correspondents say there are also reports of another large protest in the city of Hama, with security forces opening fire on demonstrators in the central square.
Mr Rami said no-one knew where the monitors had gone and attempts by activists to contact them had proved unsuccessful.
Video footage sent to Reuters on Tuesday and posted on YouTube appeared to show residents arguing with monitors, trying to get them to go further inside the city's Baba Amr district to see the victims of attacks.
Gunfire can be heard in the background.
The residents in the video shout: "We want international protection" and "Where is the world?"
One of the monitors says that he is not authorised to speak.
Baba Amr and other parts of Homs came under heavy shellfire on Monday. Activists said at least 30 people were killed.
Residents said many buildings had been destroyed and government snipers had made it impossible to search for survivors.
Casualty figures and other information are hard to verify from Syria as most foreign media are banned from reporting.Casualty figures and other information are hard to verify from Syria as most foreign media are banned from reporting.
The Syrian government says it is fighting armed gangs and that hundreds of members of the security forces have been killed as well.The Syrian government says it is fighting armed gangs and that hundreds of members of the security forces have been killed as well.
Large numbers of army deserters are reported to have joined armed rebels in the Free Syrian Army in recent weeks to launch attacks on pro-government troops. The Arab League mission, which may rise to 200-300 monitors, is to assess an initiative agreed with the Syrian government requiring all armed forces to withdraw from areas of conflict.
'Held prisoners' Damascus has pledged to allow the monitors full freedom of movement.
The observers' mission is to assess an Arab League initiative agreed with the Syrian government requiring all armed forces to withdraw from areas of conflict.
Damascus has pledged to allow the monitors full freedom of movement, but they will depend on the regime to provide transport and security.
The leader of the Syrian National Council (SNC), the main umbrella group of opponents to President Assad, said the observers were "being held prisoners by the Syrian system".
The BBC's Jim Muir, in neighbouring Lebanon, says it will be clear by the end of the week whether the monitors are having the wool pulled over their eyes and, if they are, a referral to the UN Security Council will be virtually automatic.
The observer mission will eventually have up to 200 members.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem has said he expects the monitors to back the government's claim that armed gangs are behind the continuing violence.
Are you in Syria? Did you witness the gunfire and shelling? Send us your account of what happened using the form below.Are you in Syria? Did you witness the gunfire and shelling? Send us your account of what happened using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions