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Syria: France foreign minister in Turkey for talks Syria: Russia says conflict 'is similar to civil war'
(40 minutes later)
France's Foreign Minister Alain Juppe is due in Turkey for talks on how to address the growing crisis in Syria. Russia's Foreign Minister has said the situation in Syria is beginning to resemble civil war after defected soldiers attacked a key army base.
The visit comes a day after the Arab League gave Damascus three days to end attacks on civilians or face sanctions. Sergei Lavrov said the Arab League must call on all sides to end the violence.
A number of countries have now withdrawn their ambassadors from Syria, increasing its diplomatic isolation. Last month Moscow vetoed a UN resolution condemning the violence and called for dialogue between the government and opposition groups.
In recent days defecting soldiers are reported to have stepped up attacks on government troops, leading to fears the conflict could escalate further. The Arab League has suspended Syria and given the government three days to end the "bloody repression".
The head of the Free Syrian Army, made up of troops who have defected, has told the BBC they want the international community to arm them so they can defend the civilian population. Mr Lavrov told Russian media: "We see television reports that say some new force, the so-called Free Syrian Army I believe, organised an attack on a government building."
"This is already completely similar to real civil war," he said.
"It is necessary to stop violence no matter where it comes from. It is an important thing because violence in Syria comes not only from government structures."
It comes as France's Foreign Minister Alain Juppe is to hold talks in Turkey on how to address the growing crisis.
On Wednesday, a group of defected soldiers known as the Free Syrian Army (FSA) were reported to have launched an attack on the notorious Air Force Intelligence building in the Damascus suburb of Harasta.
The exact details of the attack were unclear, but unconfirmed reports said six government soldiers were killed.
The FSA has launched a number of other attacks and ambushes in recent weeks, but correspondents say the Harasta was their highest profile operation.
Members of the Syrian National Council (SNC) opposition coalition who travelled to Moscow earlier this week failed to convince Russia to back calls for Mr Assad to stand down.
The Kremlin instead urged the GNC to start a dialogue with Mr Assad's government, something SNC officials have said they will not do, blaming Mr Assad for the bloodshed.
A number of countries have now withdrawn their ambassadors from Syria, and its diplomatic isolation is growing over its bloody eight-month crackdown on anti-government unrest.
'End of the line''End of the line'
Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Juppe warned that "the vice is tightening" around the Syrian regime. Turkey, which shares a long border with Syria, has been increasingly critical of Mr Assad.
"The Syrian people will win their fight and France will continue to do everything to help them," he told the French parliament. The BBC's Jonathan Head in Ankara says Turkey and France have not always seen eye-to-eye during the Arab Spring uprisings but will use Mr Juppe's visit to present Syria with incontrovertible proof that it is now almost totally isolated.
He and Turkish officials are expected to discuss ways in which the international community can increase its pressure on President Bashar al-Assad to stand down, and to begin planning for the post-Assad era.He and Turkish officials are expected to discuss ways in which the international community can increase its pressure on President Bashar al-Assad to stand down, and to begin planning for the post-Assad era.
Turkey shares a long border with Syria and has been increasingly critical of Mr Assad.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Ankara says Turkey and France have not always seen eye-to-eye during the Arab Spring uprisings but will be looking to present Syria with incontrovertible proof that it is now almost totally isolated.
They will also discuss ways in which the issue can be pushed at the UN Security Council, after Russia and China vetoed a resolution backing the use of "targeted measures" against Syria if the clampdown continued.They will also discuss ways in which the issue can be pushed at the UN Security Council, after Russia and China vetoed a resolution backing the use of "targeted measures" against Syria if the clampdown continued.
Speaking to French parliament on Wednesday, Mr Juppe warned that "the vice is tightening" around the Syrian regime.
"The Syrian people will win their fight and France will continue to do everything to help them," he said.
France, Britain, Germany and a number of Arab states are to submit a draft resolution to the calling for a vote in the UN General Assembly condemning the violence.France, Britain, Germany and a number of Arab states are to submit a draft resolution to the calling for a vote in the UN General Assembly condemning the violence.
Arab foreign ministers meeting in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, on Wednesday formally agreed to suspend Syria's membership of the Arab League, adding to Syria's increasing diplomatic isolation. The Arab League met in the Moroccan capital Rabat on Wednesday, and formally suspended Syria.
The League's 22 members said Syria had "three days to stop the bloody repression" and allow in a team of international monitors. The League's 22 members said Syria had "three days to stop the bloody repression" and allow in a team of international monitors or face sanctions.
The Arab states have "almost reached the end of the line" with Damascus, said Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani.The Arab states have "almost reached the end of the line" with Damascus, said Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani.
"The Syrian government must agree to Arab League decisions and stop the bloodbath in Syria," he said."The Syrian government must agree to Arab League decisions and stop the bloodbath in Syria," he said.
The plan drawn up by the Arab League earlier this month calls on Syria to withdraw tanks from restive cities, cease its attacks on protesters and engage in dialogue with the opposition within two weeks.The plan drawn up by the Arab League earlier this month calls on Syria to withdraw tanks from restive cities, cease its attacks on protesters and engage in dialogue with the opposition within two weeks.
Mr Assad had agreed to the plan, but has failed to honour it and the violence has continued.Mr Assad had agreed to the plan, but has failed to honour it and the violence has continued.
More than 370 people have been killed since the announcement of the Arab League initiative on 2 November, say rights groups, in what appears to be the bloodiest month in the eight-month uprising.More than 370 people have been killed since the announcement of the Arab League initiative on 2 November, say rights groups, in what appears to be the bloodiest month in the eight-month uprising.
The UN says more than 3,500 people have died since protests started in March. Syrian authorities blame the violence on armed gangs and militants.The UN says more than 3,500 people have died since protests started in March. Syrian authorities blame the violence on armed gangs and militants.
The Syrian government has severely restricted access for foreign journalists, and reports are difficult to verify.The Syrian government has severely restricted access for foreign journalists, and reports are difficult to verify.
Weapons appealWeapons appeal
As the Arab League meeting was underway in Rabat, angry crowds in Damascus attacked the embassies of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.As the Arab League meeting was underway in Rabat, angry crowds in Damascus attacked the embassies of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.
Morocco responded by recalling its ambassador to Syria, AFP news agency reported. Hours earlier, France also said it was withdrawing its ambassador.Morocco responded by recalling its ambassador to Syria, AFP news agency reported. Hours earlier, France also said it was withdrawing its ambassador.
Meanwhile, a group of defected soldiers - the Free Syrian Army - says it has carried out a number of attacks on government troops in recent days, including an assault on the notorious Air Force Intelligence building in the Damascus suburb of Harasta.Meanwhile, a group of defected soldiers - the Free Syrian Army - says it has carried out a number of attacks on government troops in recent days, including an assault on the notorious Air Force Intelligence building in the Damascus suburb of Harasta.
Correspondents says such an attack would be the highest profile operation so far by renegade troops.Correspondents says such an attack would be the highest profile operation so far by renegade troops.
The groups commander, Riad al-Asad, told the BBC on Wednesday that while he did not want people to take up arms against the regime, "It is our right to defend our people because the international community does nothing".The groups commander, Riad al-Asad, told the BBC on Wednesday that while he did not want people to take up arms against the regime, "It is our right to defend our people because the international community does nothing".
"I believe that with the support of the Syrian people, we can stand to challenge Bashar al-Assad, who is supported by gangs and militia," he said,"I believe that with the support of the Syrian people, we can stand to challenge Bashar al-Assad, who is supported by gangs and militia," he said,
He called on countries to provide his forces with weapons, saying he believed they could "topple the regime very soon".He called on countries to provide his forces with weapons, saying he believed they could "topple the regime very soon".
Are you in Syria or a neighbouring country? Do you have friends or family in Syria? What is your reaction to the latest developments? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Syria or a neighbouring country? Do you have friends or family in Syria? What is your reaction to the latest developments? Send us your comments using the form below.