Syrian violence rages amid truce talks

Al-Jazeera reports that Syrian government forces are said to be bombarding the city of Homs, ignoring calls from the International Committee of Red Cross for a two-hour daily truce to facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians trapped by the unremitting violence."Reuters news agency, quoting Syrian activists, said at least 12 people had been killed on Tuesday as troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad advanced on Baba Amro, a neighbourhood in Homs."

The report added: "Activists said the government had been bolstering its forces outside Homs, apparently to storm the city after 18 straight days of siege. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, said heavy shelling for two hours early on Tuesday gave way to more sporadic attacks."

Demonstrations are also apparently taking place in the capital Damascus and activists said troops had opened fire overnight to disperse a demonstration. "Protesters during the night also blocked the roads leading to Baramkeh Square in the centre of the capital," according to a spokesman for the activists. He said demonstrators used "burning materials" to shut the roads, triggering a security alert that saw "heavily armed forces" deployed in the area in few minutes.

In the meantime the Red Cross said that it is in talks with the Syrian authorities and rebels to halt the violence so that it can deliver aid, amid calls to allow women and children out of Homs.

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