Syria unrest: Arab League calls for end of bloodshed

The secretary-general of the Arab League has said he plans to visit Syria this week to "express Arab concerns" about the continuing bloodshed in the country.

Nabil al-Arabi announced the visit as Syrian state media reported the deaths of nine people, including six soldiers, in an armed ambush on a bus near Hama.

A further 17 people were wounded as gunmen ambushed a bus near the town, according to Sana, while activists say Syrian forces have killed 12 people in raids on restive areas.

Owen Bennett-Jones reports from Beirut.