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Syrian Rebels Withdraw From Besieged Homs District

March 01, 2012

Syrian rebels fighting government troops in the city of Homs say they have withdrawn from the district of Baba Amr.

The Free Syrian Army said that most of its fighters had made a "tactical" retreat to spare the lives of the remaining several thousand civilians.

The Baba Amr district has been subjected to nearly a month of bombardment in which activists say hundreds of civilians were killed.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 17 people were killed in fighting on the outskirts of the district on March 1, and that troops were searching for rebels and making arrests.

The 1-year-long revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's regime began with peaceful protests, but as the crackdown by security forces intensified it was increasingly joined by defectors from the military and people who took up arms.

Earlier on March 1, the main opposition group, the Syrian National Council, said it was setting up a "military bureau" to organize and unify the armed resistance.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain was closing its embassy and withdrawing all remaining diplomatic staff amid what is described as a worsening security situation.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Human Rights Council condemned the Syrian government for what it described as "widespread and systemic violations" against civilians.

Three members of the Council -- Syrian ally Russia, as well as China and Cuba -- voted against the resolution at the Council session in Geneva, Switzerland.

The resolution calls on Assad's regime to immediately stop attacks on civilians and grant unhindered access to aid groups.

Thirty-seven of the council's 47 members voted in favor of the resolution, which was sponsored by Gulf Arab nations.

In addition to the "no" votes from Russia, China, and Cuba, three nations abstained and four did not take part.

The resolution is not legally binding.

The United Nations says more than 7,500 people have been killed since the crackdown on protests began.

With AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa reporting

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/syria_annan_/24500723.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.