Shelling in Homs

Amateur video out of Syria shows smoke rising from buildings in Homs.

The video, which could not be independently verified by Reuters comes amid reports that intense fighting has killed some 70 people over 24 hours.

This despite the imminent arrival of a U.N. team to discuss a possible mission to monitor a ceasefire set for next week.

More footage shows demonstrators chanting in the streets of Sura. They say "Death not humiliation"

The United Nations ays more than 9,000 people have been killed in Syria since the uprising began a year ago.

The government blames the violence on foreign backed insurgent groups.

Footage from Damascus appears to shows burning tires blocking traffic, purportedly placed by anti-Assad activists.

Western powers are seeking a U.N. Security Council endorsement of envoy Kofi Annan's deal for an April 10 withdrawal of military forces which would be followed within 48 hours by a ceasefire by rebel forces.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.