(Euronews: 0726 PT, May 11, 2011) Syrian tanks are reported to be shelling Homs, one of the country's biggest cities. Loud explosions were heard in the residential neighbourhood of Bab Amro. Syrian security forces are continuing their crackdown on anti-government protests. It's thought hundreds of people have been killed and thousands arrested after protests which began in Daraa in March.

The Syrian government says it is pursuing armed gangs of terrorists while a state news agency has reported that two soldiers have been killed in clashes in Homs and Deraa.

Weapons Sales to Syria 'Increase'

(Al Jazeera English: 0722 PT, May 11, 2011) Various weapons are available on Lebanon's black market, and arms trading is reportedly on the rise since the unrest in Syria began. Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr reports from Beirut.

(Associated Press: 0458 PT, May 9, 2011) Syrian authorities were conducting fresh raids, detaining hundreds of people as part of a widening crackdown on protests, one activist said Monday. Video about the situation in Syria is coming from state television and activists.

(Al Jazeera English: 0908 PT, May 6, 2011) Reem Haddad, a spokesperson for the Syrian information ministry, spoke to Al Jazeera about the rolling nationwide protests. She denied knowledge of the deaths reported during on Friday, as thousands of protesters took to the streets across Syria to protest against the government.

She also said the UN delegation which will be visiting Syria to investigate allegations would be a positive thing for the government: "The Syrian government is not worried, because there is nothing wrong ... Syria is a mosaic, it is made of many different sects living together, in harmony."

She denied any knowledge of the arrest of Riad Seif, a member of parliament and leading opposition activist, or about the detention of Al Jazeera journalist Dorothy Parvaz.

(Euronews: 0759 PT, May 6, 2011) Protests have broken out across Syria as thousands heeded calls for a "day of defiance" against the regime. Reports say that security forces killed five pro-democracy demonstrators and wounded dozens more in the city of Homs.

The protests began as Friday prayers ended. A march in Damascus did not last long before it was broken up. One opposition leader, Riad Seif, was arrested with other demonstrators, according to human rights campaigners. Witnesses said security forces fired at protesters just north of the capital, wounding some.

Protest on Syria's 'Day of Defiance'

(France 24: 0617 PT, May 6, 2011) Thousands of anti-regime demonstrators have taken to the streets across Syria following Friday prayers for a "day of defiance." Security forces are out en masse and have reportedly opened fire in at least one town.

(Euronews: 2323 PT, May 3, 2011) As Syria intensifies its clampdown on anti-government protesters, international pressure on the regime is being stepped up. It comes as new amateur videos emerge, one that purports to show mass arrests in Deraa, and another of a Syrian soldier who claims he was ordered to shoot at unarmed civilians.

The US has described Syria's reported tactics - using tanks and arbitrary arrests - as "barbaric measures" against "innocent civilians." France has called on the EU to impose sanctions on Syrian leaders.