Syrian troops remain deployed in cities throughout the country, but calm prevailed after the U.N.-brokered ceasefire went into effect at 6:00 a.m. Thursday.

"More than two hours have passed and it's completely quiet across the country," Reuters quoted Rami Abdulrahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Though anti-government activists say most shelling has taken place after dark, the early morning calm in the beleaguered city of Homs was a welcome respite to residents there.

Abu Rami, who has been reporting from Homs, said there was "calm" there Thursday morning.

"It was a bloody night," Rami said. "There was heavy shelling on the city of Homs, but now it is calm and there is no shooting."

Activists report at least 12 people were killed Wednesday night.

Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who brokered the ceasefire, is scheduled to update the Security Council Thursday afternoon.

In the year since the anti-government protests began, human rights groups estimate between 9,000 and 10,000 people have been killed.