Syria delays Arab League chief’s visit

Syria on Wednesday made a last-minute request for the Arab League Secretary General to delay his planned visit to the country to discuss a peace plan.

The official Sana News agency reported that Nabil al-Arabi was asked to postpone his visit to Damascus "due to circumstances beyond our control".

He has been informed of those circumstances, and a new date will be set for the visit.

The Arab Monitor said that the move followed media reports that the Arab League delegation was coming to Damascus “to deliver a package of requests that essentially amount to a serious interference in Syrian internal affairs”.

Arabi was expected to outline proposals to end Syria's clampdown on protesters, and also to launch reforms.

It is understood the 22-member Arab League wants Syria to hold parliamentary and presidential elections within three years, to release protesters from Syrian prisons and to pay compensation to victims of violence at the hands of security forces.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press said there were reports Wednesday that security forces had intensified their crackdown in central city of Homs, killing and wounding several people.

An unnamed resident of the city told the Associated Press by telephone:

All through the night, there was shooting. The gunfire didn't stop. I can't tell exactly what is going on because it's dangerous to go out.

The attacks come after two people were reportedly killed in Homs on Tuesday, including a 15-year-old boy.

On the same day, five unidentified bodies, including that of a woman, were found dumped in city center.