Syrian state TV shows people celebrating in the streets of Rastan as government forces seize the town.<br/> Large protests against President Bashar al-Assad erupted here, in the province of Homs, about 180 kilometers north of the capital Damascus.<br/> But military defectors defending the town withdrew under heavy shelling and gunfire from government tanks and helicopters.<br/> The fighting marked the most prolonged battle between insurgents and loyalist forces.<br/> Thousands have died during six months of protests nationwide and activists say an average of 10 to 20 more are being killed each day.<br/> Lindsey Parietti, Reuters
