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Syria conflict: Aid and evacuations continue in Homs Syria conflict: Aid and evacuations continue in Homs
(35 minutes later)
The UN-backed evacuation of civilians and delivery of aid has continued at the besieged rebel-held Old City of Homs.The UN-backed evacuation of civilians and delivery of aid has continued at the besieged rebel-held Old City of Homs.
Nearly 200 parcels containing flour, rice, vegetable oil and other foodstuffs were sent in, while more than 200 civilians left.Nearly 200 parcels containing flour, rice, vegetable oil and other foodstuffs were sent in, while more than 200 civilians left.
They will join the hundreds allowed out since the truce was agreed on Friday.They will join the hundreds allowed out since the truce was agreed on Friday.
But concerns remain over the fate of men of military age who face questioning by the Syrian authorities.But concerns remain over the fate of men of military age who face questioning by the Syrian authorities.
And hundreds of civilians remain trapped inside the Old City.And hundreds of civilians remain trapped inside the Old City.
The regime has said it may allow an extension to the current ceasefire, due to end late on Wednesday.The regime has said it may allow an extension to the current ceasefire, due to end late on Wednesday.
The BBC's Lyse Doucet, in Homs, says every precaution was being taken with the latest delivery of food parcels.The BBC's Lyse Doucet, in Homs, says every precaution was being taken with the latest delivery of food parcels.
Red Crescent vehicles were attacked on their way to the Old City at the weekend, and their workers were briefly trapped.Red Crescent vehicles were attacked on their way to the Old City at the weekend, and their workers were briefly trapped.
In other developments:In other developments:
Meanwhile sharp words have been exchanged by Washington and Moscow after Russia again objected to a draft UN Security Council resolution - this time, one that would call on all sides to allow aid workers access across Syria.Meanwhile sharp words have been exchanged by Washington and Moscow after Russia again objected to a draft UN Security Council resolution - this time, one that would call on all sides to allow aid workers access across Syria.
That was criticised by US President Barack Obama, who called Russia a "holdout" and suggested that by blocking the resolution it too was responsible for "starving civilians", along with Syria.That was criticised by US President Barack Obama, who called Russia a "holdout" and suggested that by blocking the resolution it too was responsible for "starving civilians", along with Syria.
A Russian foreign ministry spokesman dismissed the criticism as a "biased distortion", highlighting Russia's role in helping achieve the ceasefire in Homs and insisting Russia was as concerned about the humanitarian situation in Syria as Washington.A Russian foreign ministry spokesman dismissed the criticism as a "biased distortion", highlighting Russia's role in helping achieve the ceasefire in Homs and insisting Russia was as concerned about the humanitarian situation in Syria as Washington.
But the BBC's Nick Bryant at the UN in New York says that although Russia has rejected this present draft, it has not slammed the door on an alternative resolution.
'Weeding out terrorists''Weeding out terrorists'
Government troops have besieged Homs for 18 months.Government troops have besieged Homs for 18 months.
Evacuations over the weekend were facilitated by a three-day truce, which was then extended until Wednesday, though the relief operation was halted by a day on Tuesday due to logistical reasons.Evacuations over the weekend were facilitated by a three-day truce, which was then extended until Wednesday, though the relief operation was halted by a day on Tuesday due to logistical reasons.
The UN's local humanitarian co-ordinator, Yacoub El Hillo, and Homs Governor Talal Barazi said more than 200 civilians had been taken out of Homs in Wednesday's operation.The UN's local humanitarian co-ordinator, Yacoub El Hillo, and Homs Governor Talal Barazi said more than 200 civilians had been taken out of Homs in Wednesday's operation.
But UN agencies have also expressed concern over the fate of dozens of men who were taken in by Syrian security personnel after they fled Homs.But UN agencies have also expressed concern over the fate of dozens of men who were taken in by Syrian security personnel after they fled Homs.
The detainees were being held at an abandoned school, the UN said.The detainees were being held at an abandoned school, the UN said.
Mr Barazi said 111 men had been questioned and released, while 190 others were still being held.Mr Barazi said 111 men had been questioned and released, while 190 others were still being held.
"I just want to say I hope that that the bigger percentage will all be released," he told the BBC."I just want to say I hope that that the bigger percentage will all be released," he told the BBC.
"They are living in a shelter in very good conditions. They have all the services, health, medical services and they are all secure.""They are living in a shelter in very good conditions. They have all the services, health, medical services and they are all secure."
The Syrian authorities said the screening was necessary to weed out "terrorists".The Syrian authorities said the screening was necessary to weed out "terrorists".
In Geneva, Syrian government and opposition negotiators met face-to-face again on Wednesday.In Geneva, Syrian government and opposition negotiators met face-to-face again on Wednesday.
But earlier, UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi lamented a lack of progress.But earlier, UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi lamented a lack of progress.
He has brought forward a meeting with Russian and US officials by one day to Thursday in an apparent attempt to get them to apply pressure to the opposed Syrian sides.He has brought forward a meeting with Russian and US officials by one day to Thursday in an apparent attempt to get them to apply pressure to the opposed Syrian sides.
The first round of talks ended last month with no firm agreements and both sides trading insults.The first round of talks ended last month with no firm agreements and both sides trading insults.
Meanwhile, the bloodshed continues inside Syria, with the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights saying Syrians are being killed at a faster rate than ever.Meanwhile, the bloodshed continues inside Syria, with the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights saying Syrians are being killed at a faster rate than ever.
The British-based group, which has links to the opposition, said at least 4,959 people had died in the three-week period since 22 January, when the first round of Swiss talks began.The British-based group, which has links to the opposition, said at least 4,959 people had died in the three-week period since 22 January, when the first round of Swiss talks began.
The opposition wants the government to commit in writing to the 2012 Geneva Communique, which called for the formation of a transitional administration with full executive authority.The opposition wants the government to commit in writing to the 2012 Geneva Communique, which called for the formation of a transitional administration with full executive authority.
President Bashar al-Assad's government has ruled out any transfer of power.President Bashar al-Assad's government has ruled out any transfer of power.
The civil conflict has claimed more than 100,000 lives since 2011 and has driven 9.5 million people from their homes.The civil conflict has claimed more than 100,000 lives since 2011 and has driven 9.5 million people from their homes.