Russia has sent a destroyer to Syria.  The ship left its Black Sea home of Sevastopol and is expected to be at the Syrian port of Tartus in a few days.

Russian officials say it is a routine visit.

April 2, 2012, in the city of Homs, the Syrian army claims to have rescued 66 hostages held by U.S./Israeli backed rebels.

In the city of Idlib at least eight rebels were killed.

Also on April 2, more than 100 rebels surrendered to Syrian government officials.

In Lebanon, nine men were indicted of trying to smuggle Western supplied weapons and ammo into Syria.  Three of the men are still on the loose, the other six are in Lebanese jail.