Syrian TV broadcasts images of two Russian warships in the Syrian port of Tartus. On board, the warships' captains meet with Syria's minister of Defense.<br/> On Saturday, the vessels pulled into the port - one of Russia's few outposts abroad. They are expected to stay for several days in an apparent show of continued support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a ten-month uprising against his rule.<br/> The visit comes as protests and violence continue.<br/> Amateur video purports to show people crowding around Arab League monitors, who wear colored vests. One woman holds a photograph of her son, who she cries is dead.<br/> Another video - also obtained online - shows protesters lining the streets of Al Ghadfa on Monday.<br/> Obtained from a social media web site, the videos cannot be independently verified by Reuters.<br/> A team of 165 Arab League monitors arrived in Syria two weeks ago to verify whether Assad's government is implementing a plan to withdraw troops, release prisoners and stop repression.<br/> Arab League officials have said the Syrian government has only partly implemented their pledge.<br/> Syrian officials say they are fighting subversives armed from abroad, not a popular revolt.<br/> In Damascus, Arab League monitors attend a Christian mass -- where pro-Assad Syrians mourn those killed during the uprising.<br/> At a rally outside the church, people raise pictures of Assad and cheer.<br/> The Arab League appears divided over whether to refer Syria to the United Nations, a step which in Libya led to foreign military intervention that helped rebels topple Muammar Gaddafi.<br/> Russia joined China in blocking passage of a U.N. Security Council resolution to condemn Assad's government for its crackdown on the opposition.<br/> Katharine Jackson, Reuters.
