DAMASCUS (AFP) - Syria's government denied on Saturday that its army bombarded the central city of Homs, instead blaming the bloodshed on "armed gunmen," state media reported.

NICOSIA (AFP) - At least 217 civilians, including women and children, died in a "massacre" by Syrian forces in the central city of Homs, a rights group said Saturday, urging the people to rise up against the regime.

NICOSIA (AFP) - Mortar fire killed 105 people and left hundreds more injured in the central Syrian city of Homs late Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

NICOSIA (AFP) - Mortar fire killed 25 civilians in the central Syrian city of Homs, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said late Friday, adding another 10 people had been killed elsewhere in the country.

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - Members of the UN Security Council will meet at 9:00 am (1400 GMT) Saturday for a vote on a resolution condemning the violent repression in Syria, a diplomat said.