Syria’s defence minister was killed today in a suicide blast in Damascus, state-run TV said.

A suicide attack targeted a security building in Syrian capital Damascus today, according to state-run TV.

Damascus residents have spoken about a night of shooting and explosions in the worst violence Syria's capital has seen since the uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime began 15 months ago.

A bomb has exploded in the Syrian capital, killing at least five people, activists and state media said.

FRANCE recalled its ambassador to Damascus as Syrian President Bashar Assad came under increasing pressure from home and abroad, with army defectors killing at least eight soldiers in a daring attack on the military.

Syrian army defectors have launched attacks on president Bashar Assad’s military targets near the capital Damascus.

Syrian security forces killed seven people as they opened fire to disperse thousands of protesters rallying against the country's regime on the first day of a Muslim holiday that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, activists said.

Tens of thousands of Syrians shouting "We want freedom!" carried killed protesters through the streets today as opposition figures meeting in Turkey called for a united front to bring down the 40-year ruling dynasty of the Assad family.

Syrian opposition figures said President Bashar Assad’s autocratic regime has lost its legitimacy and urged him to step down at simultaneous meetings today in Damascus and Turkey to discuss ways for a peaceful transition to democracy.

THE G8 leaders promised $20 billion (€14bn) in aid to Tunisia and Egypt yesterday and held out the prospect of billions more to foster the Arab Spring and the new democracies emerging from popular uprisings.