Assault on restive Syrian cities

The Syrian army has launched renewed assaults on several cities including Homs and Hama, killing dozens of people, according to activists.
Most of the deaths have occurred in Homs, rights groups say. The Arab League says there has been a " high escalation" of violence in recent days.
A BBC reporter in Damascus says theregime appears to be losing control of rebellious areas of the capital.
The UN Security Council is due to discuss a possible resolution on Syria.
The BBCs Jeremy Bowen in Damascus says opposition fighters have set up checkpoints and appear to move around freely in the suburbs of Douma and Saqba.
President Bashar al-Assads forces still operate in these areas, but they do not appear to be able to maintain control, our correspondent says.
Thousands of people attended the funeral of an anti-government protester killed on Thursday in Saqba.
More than 5,000 civilians killed since March, says the UN
UN denied access to Syria
Information gathered from NGOs, sources in Syria and Syrians who have fled
Vast majority of casualties were unarmed, but the figure may include armed defectors
Tally does not include serving members of the security forces
Source: UNs OHCHR
It says it is fighting " terrorists and armed gangs" and claims that some 2,000 members of the security forces have been killed since the unrest began last March.
The UN has conceded it cannot keep track of the death toll, which it estimated in December as more than 5,000 people.
Earlier this week Syria extended the mandate of Arab League observers in the country until 23 February.
The mission was set up in late December to monitor Damascus compliance with a league plan to end the fighting.
The six members of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) - Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE - have decided to withdraw their observers in protests at the continuing crackdown.
bbc.co.uk