Syrian forces fire at Homs

BEIRUT -- Syrian forces fired shells at Homs, a central city that has come to symbolize the anti-government uprising, yesterday, activists said, while the country's Muslim Brotherhood branch said it would work for a democratic state if President Bashar Assad falls.

The announcement by the exiled Syrian Muslim Brotherhood was an appeal by the Sunni Muslim group to minorities who fear for their place in a post-Assad Syria.

Since the uprising started last March with protests calling for political reform, it has stoked tensions among Syria's varied religious and ethnic groups.

Many in the opposition are from the country's Sunni majority. Religious minorities -- Christians, Shias and Alawites, who include Assad -- have largely stuck by the regime, fearing new rulers could threaten their communities.

Speaking to reporters in Turkey, Brotherhood official Ali Bayanouni said the group would not monopolize power.

"The regime now is accusing the Muslim Brotherhood of trying to control Syria alone and of having aims of being the only rulers of Syria in the future," he said Sunday. "We are here today to reassure everyone that we will cooperate with all the other partners in the Syrian opposition to build a new Syria, a free Syria, a democratic Syria, and we will not attempt to be the only ruling party in Syria."

Assad's forces kept up offensives against opposition areas yesterday, but they faced resistance from armed rebels in some places.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said eight civilians were killed in Homs, half of the day's total death toll. Two of the dead appeared to have been tortured, it said. Both were recently arrested in the southern province of Daraa.