Heavy fighting in Syria ......

Syrian state media have reported "heavy" fighting in the northern town of Jisr al-Shughour after security forces launched a full-scale assault.

The government says it is trying to restore order after 120 security personnel were killed last week.

Syrian forces converge on rebellious northern town......

Thousands of elite troops led by Syrian President Bashar Assad's brother converged on a restive nort.

The Syrian forces have lost control of large areas of the northern province, a pro-government newspaper reported, in a rare acknowledgment of cracks in the regime s tight grip after weeks of protests calling for an end to its 40-year rule.

Syria's government has vowed to deal "decisively" with the gunmen blamed....

Syria's government has vowed to deal "decisively" with the gunmen blamed for the deaths of 120 security personnel in the northern town of Jisr al-Shughour.

.Residents later warned that there would be massive bloodshed if the authorities attempted to restore control by force.

Meanwhile, France says it is ready to ask the UN Security Council to vote on a draft resolution condemning Damascus, despite a likely Russian veto.

Syrian rebels killed 40 security officials......

According to Syria's state news agency, “armed gangs” killed at least 40 security officers.

 The attacks, if confirmed, would be the most lethal anti-government retaliation in Syria since President Bashar al-Assad began a brutal crackdown on protesters three months ago. State media reported that police officers and security personnel heading to the town of Jisr al-Shughour were ambushed by the “armed gangs,’ and in what appeared to be a separate attack, eight guards in the town were killed when pipe bombs exploded in a post office.

US froze the assets of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad .......

United States froze the assets of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and six other officials.

 The step was taken to pressurise the government to end its crackdown on protesters. Property in US or interests in property belonging to al-Assad and the officials will be frozen, according to US Treasury Department. The other officials include Syrian Vice President Faruq al-Shara, Prime Minister Adel Safar, Interior Minister Mohamad Ibrahim al-Shaar and Defense Minister Ali Habib Mahmoud.