Syrian troops shell central city of Homs Citing its network of sources on the ground, the group said explosions and cracks of gunfire rang out in the town of Qusair, near the border with Lebanon. Activists said regime forces were sending reinforcements to Qusair. "Regime forces are fortifying their positions in eastern and western Qusair," about 7 miles from Lebanon, said the head of the Observatory, Rami Abdul-Rahman. Activists called for anti-government protests after the Friday prayers. The U.N. has sent a team of seven international observers into Syria, with the hopes of boosting the numbers soon. Ban has recommended the Security Council quickly approve a 300-member U.N. observer mission to Syria, a number larger than what was originally envisioned. But he said he will review ground developments before deciding when to deploy the mission. In China, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said Friday that Beijing was willing to send observers to monitor the ceasefire in Syria - a statement that reflected a change from the previous day, when he said the move was only being considered. China and Russia have both been seen as protecting Assad by twice shielding Syria from U.N. sanctions over the crackdown. The spokesman did not give details on how many observers China would send or on any financial contribution, saying that Beijing was still in talks with U.N. officials. An amateur video posted online by activists showed at least two of the observers, including the team's head, Col. Ahmed Himiche, standing outside a U.N. vehicle Thursday as dozens chanted, "Death is better than humiliation!" and "The people want to topple the regime!"