Syria - UN chief Ban Ki-moon says the Arab League plans to revive its mission to Syria, and has sought help from the UN.

Mr Ban said the "disastrous" failure to agree a UN resolution on Syria had encouraged Damascus "to step up its war on its own people".

The international community is struggling to find a way forward in the crisis after Russia and China blocked the resolution last week.

Syrian forces are continuing to attack opposition strongholds in the country.

Activists say shelling resumed early on Thursday in the central city of Homs - where the army launched an assault last week.

With several districts controlled by rebel forces - including many army defectors - Syria's third-largest city has become a major focus of unrest against President Bashar al-Assad.

More than 50 people were killed there on Wednesday alone, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.