Syrian rebels made a new push into Damascus today, clashing heavily with troops in the rebellious suburbs of the capital and firing mortars at a presidential palace and a Palestinian refugee camp, activists said.

The withdrawal of Syrian troops to Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley will be completed by the end of March, the presidents of both countries agreed today.

The presidents of Syria and Lebanon opened talks today on Syrian troop withdrawal from Lebanon, setting in motion the process of implementing Damascus’ decision to bring home its 14,000 troops from the neighbouring country.