Syrian army drives rebels from Qusair

Syrian troops ousted rebels from the strategic town of Qusair near the Lebanese border yesterday, after a devastating 17-day assault led by Hezbollah fighters from across the frontier.

The boost for government forces came as France said the international community was now obliged to respond to test results from French and British laboratories confirming the use of banned nerve agent sarin.

US and Russian envoys have been working with the United Nations for weeks to try to organise a peace conference, but after preparatory talks yesterday, delegates said no meeting would happen before next month.