BLOODY BATTLE

Tens of Thousands Protest in Syria

As the Arab League arrives.

As Arab peace monitors arrived on Tuesday to monitor Homs, about 70,000 protesters stormed the volatile Syrian city, resisting Army efforts to keep them at bay. Tuesday’s protests followed the withdrawal of Army tanks after bloody battles that resulted in 34 deaths in 24 hours. The monitors are in town to see if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is holding up his promise to end the nine-month-long military crackdown on civilians and implement a legitimate peace plan. Despite clashes in the street, the head of the Arab peace mission said the first visit was “very good.” According to reports, security forces were firing tear gas and live rounds at the protesters attempting to march on the center of Homs, but armored troops have since been removed from the city.