Syria conflict: Fresh fighting in two biggest cities
There are reports of fighting between government security forces and rebels in Syria's two biggest cities, Damascus and Aleppo.
The army's elite fourth division, backed by helicopters, has reportedly launched an assault on the capital's north-eastern suburb of Barzeh.
There are reports of fighting also continuing in Aleppo, where activists said a building had collapsed under tankfire.
The violence follows a week in which rebels made major advances, taking control of several parts of Damascus.
Jim Muir reports from neighbouring Beirut