Assad Tours Homs and is Greated as a Hero

Syrian President Bashar al Assad has toured a former rebel stronghold devastated by his forces as Damascus accepted a UN-backed deal to end the bloody conflict.

Mr Assad was shown around the Baba Amr district of Homs, which was besieged by regime troops for weeks.

He reassured residents the battered neighbourhood would be rebuilt and that normal life would resume.

"Baba Amr will be much better than before," Mr Assad told dozens of people crowded around him.

The brief visit, which was aired on state television, marked a rare public appearance by the embattled head of state who is in the throes of an unprecedented revolt against his regime.

Residents were seen weeping and cheering their president on, one woman hugged and kissed him. Read More