The Syrian flag was removed on Sunday from a pole outside the country's embassy in Moscow, Russian news agencies reported.The flag had been hoisted outside the embassy earlier in the day, the agency said.TASS also quoted embassy staff as saying the embassy would operate as normal on Monday. It said the embassy provided no explanation for the absence of the flag.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday that the future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine and that his special envoy, Geir Pedersen, "will be working with them towards that end.""There is much work to be done to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions. I reiterate my call for calm and avoiding violence at this sensitive time, while protecting the rights of all Syrians," Guterres said in a statement.

Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghany said on Saturday rebel forces have started entering the key city of Homs.