Carlos 'Cypher' Renato
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The Brazilian Navy's captain of sea-and-war Alexandre Feitosa - one of the UN observers charged with monitoring the ceasefire in Syria - told the BBC Brasil that the ceasefire is being respected in Homs. He also said to have been well received by opponents and by the regime of Bashar al-Assad when he entered the city at the weekend.
However, on Monday the group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opponent of the regime, said that up to 33 people were killed by the government during an attack on Hama, where observers are not present yet.
At about 50 km south of Hama, the city of Homs, the UN established last Saturday it's most advanced and permanent observation post.
'Since we arrived there we found that in Homs the ceasefire is being met. We have heard only a few sporadic shots, two or three bursts per day, at most, "he said.
Homs, a Sunni majority, is one of the main strongholds of government opponents of the Alawite Assad. The city was the scene of some major clashes between opposition and government since the protests began in the country for over a year.
Reception
Encouraged by the implementation of the truce in the city, Feitosa said he had several meetings with members of the Syria's Freedom Army - the armed wing of the opposition - and members of the regime.
'Both sides have said they want the UN presence in the country, "said Feitosa.
However, analysts say that the Assad regime see the presence of observers as an obstacle to the fight against government opponents.
'In some parts of Homs the damage [caused by the fighting] was quite big and nothing is working. But in 60% or 70% of the city is returning to normal routines, with schools, mosques and stores returning to open, "said Feitosa.
Axis
On Monday, Feitosa and a group of observers did patrols in Damascus and Duma (the outskirts of the capital). 'We find manifestations (Pacific) on both sides, but there was no violence.'
He said so far only eight of the initial group of 30 military observers should operate in Syria arrived in the country. Another two or three should arrive on Tuesday.
They should be sent on Wednesday to the city Idlib - another focus of resistance to the regime - in order to build another set of continuous observation.
'Our idea is to mount an axis [of cities monitored] from south to north. We will put a permanent outposts in Daraa [south], Damascus, Homs and Idlib [North], "he said.
In a resolution adopted on Saturday, the UN Security Council approved sending a total of 300 observers to Syria for a period of 90 days.
Agreement
On Monday the head of the UN political affairs, the American B. Lynn Pascoe, said Assad's government is still using heavy weapons against opponents.
He said that the system is not fulfilling parts of the cease-fire - such as allowing peaceful demonstrations and to release political prisoners.
According to the UN, at least 9,000 people were killed in the country since the beginning of the revolt in March 2011.
Source Brasileiro diz que ONU foi bem recebida em Homs - *Mundo - BBC - MSN Notícias
However, on Monday the group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opponent of the regime, said that up to 33 people were killed by the government during an attack on Hama, where observers are not present yet.
At about 50 km south of Hama, the city of Homs, the UN established last Saturday it's most advanced and permanent observation post.
'Since we arrived there we found that in Homs the ceasefire is being met. We have heard only a few sporadic shots, two or three bursts per day, at most, "he said.
Homs, a Sunni majority, is one of the main strongholds of government opponents of the Alawite Assad. The city was the scene of some major clashes between opposition and government since the protests began in the country for over a year.
Reception
Encouraged by the implementation of the truce in the city, Feitosa said he had several meetings with members of the Syria's Freedom Army - the armed wing of the opposition - and members of the regime.
'Both sides have said they want the UN presence in the country, "said Feitosa.
However, analysts say that the Assad regime see the presence of observers as an obstacle to the fight against government opponents.
'In some parts of Homs the damage [caused by the fighting] was quite big and nothing is working. But in 60% or 70% of the city is returning to normal routines, with schools, mosques and stores returning to open, "said Feitosa.
Axis
On Monday, Feitosa and a group of observers did patrols in Damascus and Duma (the outskirts of the capital). 'We find manifestations (Pacific) on both sides, but there was no violence.'
He said so far only eight of the initial group of 30 military observers should operate in Syria arrived in the country. Another two or three should arrive on Tuesday.
They should be sent on Wednesday to the city Idlib - another focus of resistance to the regime - in order to build another set of continuous observation.
'Our idea is to mount an axis [of cities monitored] from south to north. We will put a permanent outposts in Daraa [south], Damascus, Homs and Idlib [North], "he said.
In a resolution adopted on Saturday, the UN Security Council approved sending a total of 300 observers to Syria for a period of 90 days.
Agreement
On Monday the head of the UN political affairs, the American B. Lynn Pascoe, said Assad's government is still using heavy weapons against opponents.
He said that the system is not fulfilling parts of the cease-fire - such as allowing peaceful demonstrations and to release political prisoners.
According to the UN, at least 9,000 people were killed in the country since the beginning of the revolt in March 2011.
Source Brasileiro diz que ONU foi bem recebida em Homs - *Mundo - BBC - MSN Notícias
