Syrian troops and armoured vehicles have reportedly begun to pull out from the town of Tel Kelakh near the border with Lebanon, following pro-democracy protests.
Tel Kalakh has been besieged by government forces for several days, forcing thousands of residents to flee.
The United States has imposed sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad for the first time, and six of his top officials, for human rights abuses committed during the suppression of anti-government protests.
