United Nations observers in Syria toured the heavily damaged region of Homs Thursday.<br/> <br />The town, once a stronghold of opposition forces, is littered with piles of rubble and bombed out buildings.<br/> <br />The head of the monitoring mission, Norwegian Major-General Robert Mood, held talks with members of the Syrian Free Army..<br/> <br />Mood, said all sides need to cooperate for the right choices to be made in the days ahead.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF MONITORING MISSION, MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT MOOD, SAYING:<br/> <br />"The choice being going down the road of more violence, more suffering for women and children. Or going down the road of a peaceful transition serving the aspirations of the Syrian people."<br/> <br />Around 300 U.N. monitors will be deployed by the end of the month.<br/> <br />Mood said despite the relatively small number of observers and continued violence, their presence is having a calming affect.<br/> <br />Julie Noce, Reuters
