Fears rise in the city of Homs

The stronghold of the Syrian rebel forces is under heavy shelling from government forces.

Hundreds of people are reported dead in Homs since Friday. Opposition activists counted more than 95 dead yesterday.

State-run Syrian TV has denied any bombardment, claiming the residents themselves had set their houses on fire.

The regime claims that the Free Army - which they accuse of being terrorists and armed gangs - is responsible for most of the violence.

People living in Homs says these are the worst days they have seen since the uprising began over a year ago.

Today's bombardments have been mostly concentrated around the Baba Amr district, activist Mohammed al-Hassan told Reuters news agency.

He said: There is no electricity and all communications with the neighborhood has been cut."

Parts of the city appear now to be deserted. Tanks have been seen outside the centre of Homs, but no ground attacks have occurred.

Unconfirmed reports says that over 21 people has been killed so far today.