Security forces are also continuing their efforts to crush anti-government protests in the central city of Homs, Deraa and the coastal town of Baniyas.

On May 8, there were reports from Homs of gunfire, arrests and deaths, including that of a 12-year-old boy.

State media also said 10 labourers had been killed in an ambush by gunmen. Foreign journalists have not been allowed to enter Syria, so the reports are difficult to verify independently.

On May 9, reports from activist websites said that the suburb of Muadhamiya, to the west of Damascus, was cut off by troops.

Heavy gunfire could be heard and clouds of black smoke were hanging over the area. Electricity and telephone lines were cut off.

Meanwhile, more security forces were reported to have moved into the central city of Homs, north of Damascus, where troops backed by tanks have been raiding houses and arresting people since Saturday night.

On Monday, a resident told that the security forces were dividing up the city to prevent people joining any mass protests.