Syrian army fights rebels in ‘turning point’ city battle

Syria’s army deployed armoured vehicles near central Damascus as troops battled rebels around the capital in what activists said could be a turning point in the 16-month uprising.

Meanwhile, Russia has slammed as “blackmail” Western pressure to push for a UN Security Council resolution against Syria and said it would be “unrealistic” for ally President Bashar al-Assad to quit.

With battles raging between the army and rebels around Damascus for a second straight day, troops deployed armoured vehicles near the historic neighbourhood of Al-Midan.