Syrian Opposition Chief Abdelbaset Sayda Urges Defections

Speaking in United Nations.Abdelbaset Sayda reiterated the group’s rejection of foreign intervention, unless it was sanctioned by the United Nations.

Meanwhile, violence has intensified in the province of Homs, with reports of blasts and machine-gun fire on Monday. At least 35 people were killed there in bombardments on Sunday, activists said. The BBC’s Paul Danahar, who is in the city of Homs, says mortar rounds are being fired into the old part of town every couple of minutes. He says large black plume of smoke can be seen rising above the area.

These reports cannot be independently verified, as Syria severely restricts journalists’ freedom movement. Abdelbaset Sayda, a Kurd, replaced Burhan Ghalioun, who had held the post since the group was established last September.

As the midday call to prayers began across the city of Homs it found itself competing with a steady stream of thumps as mortar rounds slammed into the old city area. For several hours big black plumes of smoke drifted across the skyline. Every minute or so another puffed up from the ground often followed by a small burst of machine gun or small arms fire.

Standing on the roof of the UN headquarters was one of their monitors who told me to listen carefully to a whirring sound overhead. That, he told me, was an unmanned surveillance drone searching for targets for the mortar rounds to attack.

The UN has been trying for two days to get access to the old city but without success. As I drove into town I could see the road to the area was blocked by an army checkpoint.

The old city is a civilian area and it’s almost certain, having seen the size of the barrage that injuries must have occurred. How many will only be known when and if the UN get in to see for themselves.He told the BBC World Service the SNC was not calling for “a foreign war or intervention. Rather it is the regime that is pushing our country in this direction, that is waging unjust war on the nation and the people”.