BEIRUT — Syrian opposition activists say the army has begun withdrawing tanks from the restive city of Homs after days of assaults and just as an Arab League observer mission arrives in the country.

Mohammed Saleh says the heavy bombardment of the central city stopped Tuesday morning and tanks were seen pulling out of the streets.

Another Homs-based activist says he saw armored vehicles leaving early Tuesday on a highway that leads to the city of Palmyra to the east. He asked that his name not be made public for fear of retribution.

For days, military forces had pounded Homs with artillery despite agreeing to an Arab League plan to stop the bloodshed.

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The Arab monitoring mission is meant to ensure the government complies with the deal to halt the nine-month crackdown.

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