Syria cracks down on militants

Syrian security forces clashed with militants, including former bodyguards of toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, near the capital early today, leaving one policeman dead and two militants in custody, the state-run SANA news agency said.

SANA, quoting an unidentified Information Ministry official, said the militant group was made up of former bodyguards of toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. But it was unclear if any of those detained were aides to the fallen dictator.