video transcript

A fierce battle, purportedly in Homs, Syria. The violence captured on this amateur footage was posted online amid a supposed ceasefire between rebel fighters and forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. According to activists, this video shows a government tank firing on the restive city. Reuters is unable to verify the footage. Meanwhile in Damascus, a small team of United Nations peacekeepers arrive to monitor the truce that took effect last week. Despite some apparent disregard for the UN-backed ceasefire, the team leader says the group is optimistic. (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS COLONEL, AHMED HIMMICHE, SAYING: "We are going to organise ourselves in order to be ready to do our tasks as soon as possible. (REPORTER'S QUESTION) Of course, we are here, all peacekeepers are optimistic." The UN is expected to authorize deployment of an additional 250 monitors later this week. Lindsey Parietti, Reuters