Syrian government says "life returns to normal" in rebellious city

The Syrian government said on Sunday that "stability and calm" had been restored to the rebellious city of al-Rastan after five days of fighting between government troops and army defectors, DPA reported.

The state-run SANA news agency reported that "life in the city has returned to normal after law enforcement personnel, backed by army units, entered the city and encountered the terrorist armed groups who terrorized citizens."

Army forces had killed a large number of terrorists and arrested many of them as well as confiscating weapons and ammunition that were used by the terrorist groups, SANA said.

The government has blamed "terrorist groups" for the unrest in the country, which began in mid-March when anti-government protests demanding the ouster of President Basahr al-Assad began.

"People of al-Rastan welcomed the entrance of the army forces that put an end to the chaos and crimes committed by the terrorist armed groups," SANA's report added.

Activists said on Saturday that government troops were in control of most of the city after defectors pulled out. Around 15 army defectors were killed and more than 80 others injured in Saturday's fighting.

Al-Rastan had reportedly become a rallying point for Syrian soldiers who have refused orders to fire on pro-democracy protesters.

The city, which is part of the restive central province of Homs, has been under heavy shelling for almost a week, according to opposition activists.

Unconfirmed reports said that at least 100 people had been killed and more than 250 injured in five days of fighting in al-Rastan.

On Sunday, some fifty army vehicles left the city and headed towards the Homs town of Houla, activists said online.

In the northern province of Idlib, the bodies of two men were handed to their families on Sunday, with signs of torture. They were arrested in the Khan Shekhoun area a few days ago.

Most foreign journalists and international human rights groups are barred from Syria, where an estimated 2,700 people have been killed during the crackdown on pro-democracy protests, according to the United Nations.