U.N. observers visit suburb of Syrian capital

In this citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria , Syrians shout slogans during a demonstration in Kafranbel near Idlib, north Syria.

Syrian state television and a local activist say a United Nations team monitoring the country’s shaky cease-fire is visiting the Damascus suburb of Zabadani.

The U.N. has sent an advance eight-person observer team to Syria to support a plan by international envoy Kofi Annan to end the country’s 13-month crisis. The U.N. has authorised a mission of 300 observers, though it remains unclear when the full contingent will arrive.

State TV gave no details on the observers’ visit to Zabadani on Monday. Activist Fares Mohammed confirmed the monitors had arrived but had no further information.

The government has controlled Zabadani since taking it back from rebels in February.

The cease-fire essential to Mr. Annan’s plan has been rife with violations, although overall daily violence has declined.