Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, has called for a UN observer mission in Syria to be expanded, even though he says Damascus has failed to adhere to a ceasefire central to an agreed peace plan.
Meanwhile, clashes between Assad's gangs and freedom fighters in an eastern city have left at least one person dead. Thursday's clashes in Deir el-Zour also wounded three civilians.
Illegal Assad's gangs also shelled opposition-held areas in the central city of Homs and the nearby town of al-Qusair, which borders Lebanon.
Intense shooting and explosions could be heard in Homs' al-Qarabis and Jurat al-Shayah neighbourhoods. Scores have died from Assad's gangs since the ceasefire started.
Violent incidents and reports of casualties have escalated again in recent days, with reports of shelling of civilian areas and abuses by Alawite forces, when the UN observers went to Arbeen, in the Damascus suburbs, on Wednesday. One UN vehicle was slightly damaged.
Source: Agencies
Kavkaz Center
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