Dubai: Syrian artillery gunners turned their sights on the rebel city of Rastan, killing seven civilians, activists said, as Red Cross teams began handing out food and blankets in central Homs province to those who fled Baba Amr on Sunday after days of delays.
Syrian activists also reported clashes between rebels and government troops in Idlib province. Raids in Hama and shelling on the border town of Qusair were also reported.
The aid distribution came as relief agencies waited for a third day for the go-ahead to enter Baba Amr, where hundreds of people are reported to have been killed and even more wounded.
The shelling of Rastan —which the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said killed seven people, including four children, when a house was hit — coincided with a call from China on all parties to "unconditionally" end the violence.
China offered a proposal to end the violence, calling for an immediate ceasefire and talks by all parties. But it stood firm in its opposition to foreign intervention.
"The Syrian government and all parties concerned should immediately, fully and unconditionally cease all acts of violence, particularly violence against innocent civilians," said the statement.
The Britain-based Observatory said one soldier was killed and that the army was raiding homes in villages near Idlib following the rebel capture of an intelligence officer.
