Britain will not join any military action against Syria after a stunning parliamentary defeat of a government motion on the issue.

A fourth member of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle has died from a bomb attack this week as rebels converge on the capital.

Syrian rebels have killed at least 25 members of militia loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and troops killed 10 protesters in Aleppo.

Nine people are dead and 100 wounded in bomb blasts near Syrian security service buildings as a bombing battle intensifies against government targets.

Syria has accepted a ceasefire and peace plan drawn up by Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan as Syrian troops thrust into Lebanon to battle rebels.

Human Rights Watch says armed opposition groups in Syria have kidnapped, tortured and executed supporters of President Bashar al-Assad.

Rights activists have reported the death of several Syrian soldiers after being ambushed by Syrian army defectors.

As the UN’s representative to Syria, Kofi Annan has urged Bashar al-Assad and his foes to seek a political solution, drawing anger from dissidents.

A Libyan diplomat who served as ambassador to France for Muammar Gaddafi died from torture within a day of being detained by a militia from Zintan.

Muammar Gaddafi’s occupation of Tawergha and using it as a base to besiege and shell Misrata in last year’s civil war has left the town isolated.

Libyan militiamen are holding Seif al-Islam in their mountain stronghold following his capture, a month after his father Muammar Gaddafi was killed.