Syria official says forces take rebel area of Homs

A Syrian government official claimed that the army wrested a contested district of a key city from rebels on Monday after 10 days of fierce fighting. But two activists based in the city denied the claim, saying rebels were under heavy fire but still holding on.

The official, from Homs province, said troops took the Khaldiyeh district but were still "cleaning" out rebel-held pockets. He gave no other details and requested anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media. (AP)