Syria

Tehran masterminding plans to create 100,000-strong militant army, says Israeli intelligence chief Aviv Kochavi.

France and Britain call for arming Syrian rebels to balance battle against Assad.

Apples grown by Druze farmers in Golan Heights to be transported by Kenyan drivers.

Syrian president accuses Britain of being naive, confused and unconstructive, and says he will not resign.

Anti-Bashar al-Assad rebels ask Hezbollah to withdraw or face attacks on its Lebanese base.

President's Middle East tour will also take him to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt.

Syrian Electronic Army activists hack dozens of soft targets in Israel.

UN and Arab League special envoy Lakdhar Brahimi addresses a closed meeting of UN Security Council officials.

Twin explosion in Syria's Aleppo University kills 83 people and injures 160 others

Assad 'wants' US and Israeli bases in Middle East targeted if he is killed.

Capture of strategic Taftanaz airbase in Idlib province by rebels leads to fierce battle.

Washington and the European Union snub Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's comments and say he clings to power

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has made a rare public speech about the uprising in his country, calling on Syrians to defend their nation.

Explosion takes place in Alwaite-majority Damascus neighbourhood.

Venezuelan officials tell Turkish daily about Assad's letter seeking asylum.

Iran angry over deployment of Patriot missiles on Turkey-Syria border.

Reports suggest Assad preparing chemical weapons arsenal despite denials by Syrian regime.

Britain plans to begin talks with armed Syrian opposition groups in a bid to end the Syrian civil war, but rules out arming the rebels.

Tehran's top diplomat says Iran has been holding talks with the Syrian government and the rebels in an aim to solve the 19-month-long conflict.

Nearly 150 people were killed on the first day of the truce, claim activists.

Rebels and pro-Assad troops maintain that Eid truce will be abandoned if opponents initiate attack.

Ankara forces Armenia-to-Aleppo plane to land in Turkish city of Erzurum for inspection.

Damascus action follows interception of Syrian flight by Ankara for allegedly carrying defence equipment in a passenger aircraft.

Brahimi's visit comes as Turkey is amassing forces on the border raising fears of a full-fledged war.

Republican presidential contender keen to balance rebels' firepower against Assad.

As Assad's forces try to ward off rebel attacks, fighting opens on another front, with Turkey.

UN Security Council condemns Syrian mortar attack and expresses concern about regional peace and security.

Turkish parliament discusses cross-border operations in wake of Syrian attack.

Suicide bombers detonate explosive-laden vehicles, killing dozens of people in Syria's biggest city.

Two Turkish pilots who died in aircrash targeted by Assad's forces with help of Russia, says secret Syrian intelligence document.