--STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES--<br/> <br />Amateur video out of Syria appears to show protesters blocking a major highway in Damascus.<br/> <br />The video, which could not be independently verified by Reuters shows traffic coming to a stop.<br/> <br />The Syrian government is now refusing to grant visas to Western aid workers. A senior aide says the United Nations is trying to overcome its objections to expand its humanitarian operations.<br/> <br />Activists say more than 17,000 people have been killed in Syria since the uprisings began last march.<br/> <br />Residents say opposition fighters battled Syrian government forces in Damascus into the early hours of Monday.They say at least five people were killed and dozens wounded.<br/> <br />More footage shows a burnt out vehicle with charred bodies inside. The bodies are said to be members of a pro government militia.<br/> <br />Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.
