Syria says it's mulling evacuation request LONDON, June 19 (UPI) -- Syrian officials said they're prepared to act on a U.N. appeal to evacuate civilians from Homs, which has been under attack by government forces. The Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it contacted U.N. observers in Syria and local authorities to try to set up an evacuation operation from Homs, where activists say about 1,000 families have been trapped, the Voice of America reported. The activist group, Local Coordination Committees in Syria, reported at least 18 people died in Syria in fighting Tuesday. Syrian rights activists said least 79 people died Monday across the country in the more than year-old uprising against President Bashar Assad However, the government said in a statement efforts to set up an evacuation operation failed because of terrorist groups, which Syrian leaders have consistently blamed for the violence. The Syrian statement also accused rebels of using Homs civilians as "human shields." Norwegian Gen. Robert Mood, who heads the U.N. observer mission, appealed to the Syrian government and rebel forces to allow women, children and the wounded to leave Homs and other combat zones. The 300-member observation team has suspended it work because of escalating violence since a cease-fire was implemented in April. The U.N. Security Council will consider its next steps when Mood addresses the panel Tuesday, the British publication The Guardian reported. Mark Lyall Grant, Britain's ambassador to the United Nations, said he thinks many representatives "will be questioning now what the future is for the mission and" the peace plan brokered by U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan based on "these recent developments on the ground." U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin, attending the Group of 20 Summit in Mexico, Monday issued a joint statement that called for an "immediate cessation of all violence" in Syria. The statement also said the two countries were "united" in the belief that Syrians should have the chance to "democratically choose their own future." Russia, along with China, is a major trade partner of Syria and has helped block U.N. Security Council efforts to impose sanctions. Meanwhile, efforts were under way to halt a ship reportedly carrying refurbished Russian attack helicopters, from traveling to Syria, The Guardian said. The Standard Club in London reportedly withdrew it insurance covering the Russian ship MV Alaed. However, the Maritime Bulletin said the withdrawal of insurance may not be enough to prevent the vessel, reportedly docked in Scotland, from continuing its voyage. The cargo ship is believed to be carrying Mi25 helicopters and munitions.