Rebel forces in the Syrian civil war have seized a border crossing with Israel in the Golan Heights.

Syrian artillery pounded the rebel city of Rastan yesterday, killing seven civilians, monitors said.

SYRIA’S opposition yesterday urged the Arab League to stand strong against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime as the United Nations said its crackdown on dissent has left more than 3,500 people dead.

SYRIA’S army stormed another two towns yesterday in pursuit of anti-regime protesters, activists said, in defiance of Western calls for action after a “chilling” UN Security Council briefing.