The Syrian government has agreed in principle to take part in an international conference in Geneva next month aimed at ending the country’s civil war, its foreign minister said yesterday.

Iran and Syria condemned a US plan to help rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad and signalled that he intended to stay in power at least until the 2014 presidential election.

Syria has accused some UN Security Council members of supporting “terrorism” in a speech clearly aimed at the United States and its allies that support the Syrian opposition.

THE UN has accused Syria of a series of crimes against humanity in its crackdown on anti-government protests.

The UN has accused Syria of a series of crimes against humanity in its crackdown on anti-government protests.

Jordan's King Abdullah has become the first Arab ruler to call for Syrian president Bashar Assad to step down.

Syria’s foreign minister has hit out at an Arab League vote to suspend his country’s membership, saying it was an illegitimate decision prompted by American incitement.

Syria's foreign minister has warned the international community not to recognise a new council formed by the opposition, saying it is “illegitimate”.