Arab foreign ministers gathered in Cairo on Sunday to discuss the idea of a joint Arab-United Nations monitoring mission for Syria.

The ministers are expected to consider proposals for a new Arab observer mission, to replace one suspended last month after a surge in violence in Syria.

Gulf states also withdrew their observers to protest the Syrian government's refusal to end its suppression of an 11-month uprising.

The Arab League ministers are also likely to discuss recognition of the Istanbul-based Syrian National Council, an opposition umbrella group.

On Saturday, violence continued in the flashpoint city of Homs, where at least 10 people were killed when Syrian forces moved into Homs to crush the revolt against President Assad.

In Damascus and in the southern city of Douma, overnight clashes between the Free Syrian Army and government troops killed at least three people.

Government troops also entered parts of the mountain town of Zabadani.

The United Nations says violence linked to the uprising has killed more than 5,400 people. But the agency said last month that it stopped compiling a death toll because it is too difficult to obtain information.