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Fresh violence in Syria ahead of UN briefing Fresh violence in Syria ahead of UN briefing
(about 4 hours later)
Syrian government forces have been engaged in shelling Syrian towns on Tuesday, opposition sources say.Syrian government forces have been engaged in shelling Syrian towns on Tuesday, opposition sources say.
Bombardment was reported in the town of Rastan in Homs province, as well as areas near the capital, Damascus, including the suburb of Douma.Bombardment was reported in the town of Rastan in Homs province, as well as areas near the capital, Damascus, including the suburb of Douma.
The latest violence comes as the head of the UN's observer mission in Syria prepared to brief the Security Council.The latest violence comes as the head of the UN's observer mission in Syria prepared to brief the Security Council.
On Saturday, Maj Gen Robert Mood announced the suspension of the mission's patrols due to the violence.On Saturday, Maj Gen Robert Mood announced the suspension of the mission's patrols due to the violence.
The Local Co-ordination Committees (LCC), a network of activists in Syria, said Rastan had come under "fierce and continuous bombing" on Tuesday morning.The Local Co-ordination Committees (LCC), a network of activists in Syria, said Rastan had come under "fierce and continuous bombing" on Tuesday morning.
The LCC also reported "intense mortar shelling" on the Damascus suburb of Qudsiya.The LCC also reported "intense mortar shelling" on the Damascus suburb of Qudsiya.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said two people had died in shelling in the suburb of Douma.The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said two people had died in shelling in the suburb of Douma.
Districts of the opposition stronghold of Homs were also reportedly coming under attack on Tuesday.Districts of the opposition stronghold of Homs were also reportedly coming under attack on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Syrian government said it was willing to facilitate the evacuation of hundreds of civilians reportedly trapped by fighting in Homs.Meanwhile, the Syrian government said it was willing to facilitate the evacuation of hundreds of civilians reportedly trapped by fighting in Homs.
Maj Gen Mood had earlier admitted "attempts to extract civilians" from the besieged city of Homs over the past week had been unsuccessful and urged warring parties to let them leave.Maj Gen Mood had earlier admitted "attempts to extract civilians" from the besieged city of Homs over the past week had been unsuccessful and urged warring parties to let them leave.
The government was willing "to extract the citizens... without any preconditions", but "armed terrorist groups' obstructions" meant this had not happened, the Syrian foreign ministry told state-run news agency Sana.The government was willing "to extract the citizens... without any preconditions", but "armed terrorist groups' obstructions" meant this had not happened, the Syrian foreign ministry told state-run news agency Sana.
Russian roleRussian role
Also on Tuesday, British marine insurance company Standard Club said it had withdrawn insurance from a Russian ship, the MV Alaed, because of the possibility it was carrying weapons to Syria.Also on Tuesday, British marine insurance company Standard Club said it had withdrawn insurance from a Russian ship, the MV Alaed, because of the possibility it was carrying weapons to Syria.
"We were made aware of the allegations that the Alaed was carrying munitions destined for Syria. We have informed the ship owner that their cover ceased automatically in view of the nature of their voyage," the company said in a statement."We were made aware of the allegations that the Alaed was carrying munitions destined for Syria. We have informed the ship owner that their cover ceased automatically in view of the nature of their voyage," the company said in a statement.
The UK's Foreign Office said it was "aware of a ship carrying a consignment of refurbished Russian-made attack helicopters heading to Syria.The UK's Foreign Office said it was "aware of a ship carrying a consignment of refurbished Russian-made attack helicopters heading to Syria.
"The Foreign Secretary made clear to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov when they met on 14 June that all defence shipments to Syria must stop," a Foreign Office spokesperson said."The Foreign Secretary made clear to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov when they met on 14 June that all defence shipments to Syria must stop," a Foreign Office spokesperson said.
"We are working closely with international partners to ensure that we are doing all we can to stop the Syrian regime's ability to slaughter civilians being reinforced through assistance from other countries," the spokesperson added."We are working closely with international partners to ensure that we are doing all we can to stop the Syrian regime's ability to slaughter civilians being reinforced through assistance from other countries," the spokesperson added.
However, on Tuesday, Russian foreign ministry spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "Russia is not selling or delivering helicopters to Syria." Scottish authorities said the ship's course now appeared to be taking it back to Russia.
Russian specialists were only maintaining helicopters that were sold to Damascus "a very long time ago", Mr Peskov said. However, on Tuesday, Russian foreign ministry spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied Russia was "selling or delivering" helicopters to Syria, saying Russian specialists were only maintaining helicopters sold to Syria "a very long time ago".
The Russian news agency Interfax quoted a navy source on Tuesday as saying the ship Kaliningrad, part of the Baltic Fleet, was preparing for a trip in the Mediterranean, as part of which "the ship will visit the Syrian port of Tartus, where the Russian navy's logistics station is located". The Russian defence ministry meanwhile denied reports that the ship Kaliningrad, part of the Baltic Fleet, was preparing for a trip in the Mediterranean, including the Syrian port of Tartus.
The report comes a day after Interfax reported two amphibious vessels were apparently on a mission to protect Russian citizens and remove equipment if necessary from the naval base in Tartus. However, the ministry did not comment on an earlier report by Russian news agency Interfax saying two amphibious vessels were apparently on a mission to protect Russian citizens and remove equipment if necessary from the naval base in Tartus.
BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Marcus says that, if confirmed, the deployment of the ships suggests the Russians are taking prudent precautions in the event of the Syrian regime collapsing.BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Marcus says that, if confirmed, the deployment of the ships suggests the Russians are taking prudent precautions in the event of the Syrian regime collapsing.
'Common points''Common points'
After a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit, US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin urged an immediate end to violence in Syria.After a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit, US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin urged an immediate end to violence in Syria.
In a joint statement following their first meeting since Mr Putin returned to the presidency, they said they shared a belief that Syrians should determine their own future.In a joint statement following their first meeting since Mr Putin returned to the presidency, they said they shared a belief that Syrians should determine their own future.
Mr Putin said the two countries had found "many common points" on Syria.Mr Putin said the two countries had found "many common points" on Syria.
The two countries have been at odds over how to resolve the crisis.The two countries have been at odds over how to resolve the crisis.
Russia and China have twice blocked US-backed UN draft resolutions critical of Syria.Russia and China have twice blocked US-backed UN draft resolutions critical of Syria.
Both countries argue that pushing the government from power using external pressure is unacceptable.Both countries argue that pushing the government from power using external pressure is unacceptable.
Correspondents say there were no smiles between Mr Obama and Mr Putin during the news conference, and their interactions seemed stiff and strained.Correspondents say there were no smiles between Mr Obama and Mr Putin during the news conference, and their interactions seemed stiff and strained.