A Red Cross aid convoy carrying emergency supplies is heading to the Syrian city of Homs.

The convoy, carrying seven truckloads of food and other items, left the capital Damascus today, said a spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva.

He said the convoy hopes to reach the city before noon despite snow slowing its progress.

Syrian Red Crescent volunteers and ambulances are waiting in Homs and aid workers will try to enter the district of Baba Amr as soon as possible.

The Syrian government gave the Red Cross permission to enter the district that security forces took from rebels on Thursday.

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