ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION
A Red Cross convoy carrying life-saving aid reached the Syrian city of Homs on Friday and is about to enter the shattered district of Baba Amro, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told Reuters.
Earlier, the ICRC said that its convoy of 7 trucks loaded with food and other relief supplies was heading from the capital Damascus to Homs where volunteers and ambulances of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent were waiting to enter the district together.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ICRC SPOKESPERSON HICHAM HASSAN SAYING:
"This morning a joint team from the ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent left Damascus heading towards Homs. The convoy is including also seven truckloads of assistance, mainly food but other items as well. The snow sadly slowed down the convoy a bit. We hope, however to be inside Homs within the hour. Red Crescent ambulances and volunteers including doctors are in Homs, that's the Homs branch, and we hope to get into Baba Amro as soon as possible."
The ICRC received a "green light" from Syrian authorities on Thursday, hours after rebels left the heavily bombarded area following a 26-day siege aimed at crushing the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.
Discussions about a daily halt in the fighting are still ongoing.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ICRC SPOKESPERSON HICHAM HASSAN SAYING:
"We have positive indications from the Syrian authorities on our initiative for a two-hour cessation of fighting all over the country and the affected areas. We are still in discussion, and we know that this initiative must be implemented as soon as possible".
The ICRC has said that it does not know how many sick or wounded may need medical attention or evacuation from Baba Amro.
