Mian Shakeel Aslam---Syrian soldiers and policemen were killed in clashes with forces opposed to President Bashar al-Assad in the central city of Rastan, state news agency Sana Syria report.
At least three civilians were killed in the surrounding province. The news comes amid mass defections to the rebels in the report Rastan. Meanwhile in the United States has condemned an attack against the U.S. ambassador Robert Ford, which was bombarded with stones and tomatoes by a mob in the capital Damascus. He was preparing to meet a senior opposition figure, Hassan Abdul Azim. U.S. officials said most people are violent and severely damaged the embassy vehicle, but Mr. Ford was not hurt. The United States says it has no plans to withdraw its ambassador. Deserters I quoted a military spokesman told Rastan "a specific operation, the army units have successfully fulfilled their mission by arresting a number of members of armed groups, seizing weapons, explosives and various munitions. " He said seven soldiers and members of security forces were killed, including two officers and 32 others are injured. "The members of the armed terrorist groups continue to restore security and stability in Rastan and its citizens," he said. But the opposition group the United Kingdom the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least three civilians were killed overnight in Homs province, where Rastan Correspondents say that the Syrian security forces have largely remained loyal to President Assad, but deserters have formed their own units of around Rastan, 180 km (120 miles) north of Damascus, seen as a recruiting ground for Sunni Muslim army conscripts. The army led by officers from the minority Alawite sect, whose family are members of Assad, but most troops are Sunni. Rastan residents told Reuters news agency at least 1,000 army deserters and other armed men fought government forces. 'Important' lawyerU.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the attack on Mr. Ford was "unjustified" and condemned "in strongest terms." He praised Mr. Ford "astonishing courage" as an "important advocate for the legitimate aspirations" of the Syrian people. Abdul Azim, head of the outlawed Democratic Arab Socialist Union party, said the arrival of the messenger to his office on Thursday has led to the introduction. About 100 demonstrators encircled, and tried to break the office door, he said. Syria is under international pressure to stop using force to suppress demonstrations that began six months ago. The UN estimates that more than 2700 people died across Syria since the crackdown began. The government says it is in the process of introducing reforms and talk to members of the opposition - he blames the unrest on armed gangs.
Posted By: Mian Shakeel Aslam
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15121876
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