Syria unrest: 'Dozens of bodies found dumped' in Homs

Despite the Arab League's efforts, the violence is

At least 34 people have been abducted and killed by pro-government militias in the city of Homs, activists say.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights quoted witnesses as saying the bodies had been found dumped in a square in the restive city on Monday.
The claim has not been independently verified, as most foreign media are banned from entering Syria.
Meanwhile, Damascus says it responded "positively" to an Arab League plan aimed at ending months of unrest.
Foreign ministry spokesman Jihad al-Makdisi told reporters a letter by President Bashar al-Assad's government had been sent to the Cairo-based league, adding that he expected a deal to be signed soon.
He spoke after the expiry of the league's latest deadline for Damascus to agree to its peace plan and allow in observers to monitor it or face the imposition of further sanctions approved last week.

The Arab League secretary general confirmed receipt of the letter, saying it contained new elements which were now being studied.
Syria is under pressure to end its crackdown on an uprising the UN says has left more than 4,000 people dead since the unrest began in March.
On Monday, the Observatory quoted witnesses as saying that the bodies of at least 34 people were seen in a square in Homs.
It said victims - many of them civilians - had been seized by pro-Assad militiamen from districts opposed to the government.
Government forces have laid siege to Homs for several months.
Earlier this week, UN Human Rights Council strongly condemned the "gross and systematic" violations by Syrian forces, and said it was appointing a special investigator to report on the ongoing crackdown.
President Assad's government says it is fighting armed gangs.