Suleiman Al-Khalidi

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the militants carried out raids on villages inhabited by the ancient Christian minority west of Hasaka.

This is the first hostage taken from the US-led coalition battling Isis, but the group is divided over whether or not the plane was shot down by Isis.

The value of the Syrian currency has plummeted over the last year, but those with an interest in keeping it afloat are cushioning the fall.

Ahead of Kofi Annan's visit to Syria for the UN and Arab League, President Bashar al-Assad's troops have spread across Dera'a after overnight clashes.

Syrian forces entered the town of Tafas near Dera'a in the south-western Hauran Plain on Sunday, residents said.

Syrian forces killed at least 12 people on Saturday when they fired on mourners calling for the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule.

Thousands of mourners called on Saturday for "revolution" at the funeral of protesters killed by Syrian security forces.

A lone gunman opened fire on a group of foreign tourists in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on Monday, killing a British man and wounding six, an official and a witness said. Jordanian government spokesperson Nasser Joudeh denied earlier reports that the attack was carried out by two men, one of them an Iraqi.