Talks continue over rebel withdrawal from Homs

DAMASCUS, May 3, (AFP): Talks for rebels to withdraw from a handful of besieged neighbourhoods in Syria's Homs city have entered their final phase, regime and rebel representatives told AFP Saturday, a day after a ceasefire began.
Homs was dubbed the "capital of the revolution" at the start of the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.
A pull-out would mean the regime has regained complete control of it after a two-year siege.
A ceasefire began on Friday, as a first step toward implementing a deal between the two sides.
Talks, which began two months ago, are near completion, according to Governor Talal al-Barazi and rebel representative and negotiator Abul Harith al-Khalidi.
"The ceasefire is still in place, and I hope we will reach the end of the negotiations. Talks to rid the city of arms and of armed men ... are ongoing and we are near the end," said Barazi.