Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visited Tuesday the restive Homs province in central Syria and toured the shattered neighborhood of Baba Amr in Homs city, official news agency SANA reported.

"President Assad is checking the conditions of the defenders of the homeland during his tour in Baba Amr," SANA said.

The Syrian government launched a "cleansing" campaign earlier this month against rebel gunmen in Baba Amr, which had emerged as a main stronghold of armed insurgency against the Assad government.

Assad paid the visit to check the situation and inspect army units in the conflict-torn area, the pro-government Sham FM radio said.

The Syrian government has blamed gunmen for attacks against army and security personnel and other sabotaging acts.

After the confrontations earlier this month, the UN humanitarian chief, Valerie Amos, toured Baba Amr and said she found most residents of the ravaged neighborhood had fled following the military siege.

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