BEIRUT - United Nations monitors reported
on Monday Syrian helicopters firing on two rebel towns north of
the city of Homs, a spokeswoman for the observer mission said.
"UN observers reported heavy fighting in Rastan and
Talbiseh, north of the city (of Homs), with mortar shelling as
well as firing from helicopters, machine guns and smaller arms,"
Sausan Ghosheh said in a statement.
Syrian activists have frequently said the Syrian military
has used helicopters to fire on rebel targets, but Ghosheh's
comments were the first time the observers had reported their
use in the conflict.