Activists say Syrian troops have fired mortar rounds in the central Syrian city of Homs.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the Khaldiyeh district of Homs has felt the shell onslaught since early Saturday. It was not immediately clear if there were casualties. Homs has seen some of the heaviest fighting in Syria's year-long uprising.
Meanwhile, joint U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan is traveling to Moscow and Beijing, the two countries that have blocked Security Council action against Syria since the deadly crackdowns on protests erupted.
On Friday, the European Union imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's British-born wife and several other members of his family and administration.
The U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva also toughened its stance on Syria with a sharp condemnation of Syria's “escalating violence,” and called for an extension of a probe into the Syrian government's alleged abuses in the year of unrest.
The 47-member body voted 41 to three in favor of an EU-sponsored resolution backed by the United States and Arab countries. China, Russia and Cuba voted against the measure.
In Washington, the Obama administration said it will allow Syrians in the country to remain, even after their visas have expired, and not deport those in the U.S. illegally.
The sanctions on Mrs. Assad came after leaked emails showed she allegedly went on lavish shopping sprees while Syria descended into violence. British officials say the EU travel ban can not stop the Syrian first lady from traveling to Britain if she has retained her citizenship.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told VOA three Syrian army defectors and 13 civilians were killed Friday during heavy fighting in Azaz, near the border with Turkey.
The United Nations says at least 8,000 people have been killed in the Assad government's violent crackdown on the revolt, which began with peaceful protests and became increasingly militarized as army defectors attacked pro-Assad troops who assaulted civilians.
