CBS Twitter accounts hacked by 'pro-Damascus group'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22237458

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The Twitter accounts for two CBS news programmes in the US have been suspended after being hacked.

Fake messages appearing on the @60Minutes account criticised US support for "terrorist" rebels in Syria and others accused Barack Obama of trying to "take away your guns".

A group calling itself the Syrian Electronic Army claimed to have been responsible for hijacking the accounts.

The @CBSDenver account was also taken over, said news director Tim Wieland.

The SEA group has previously put out messages in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It appeared to behind the takeover of several BBC Twitter accounts last month and some of NPR's accounts last week.

A CBS spokeswoman confirmed that the accounts had been compromised. CBS said it was working with Twitter to "resolve the issue".

The fake messages that appeared on the @60Minutes account reportedly included:

Other messages claimed: "Syrian Electronic Army Was Here via @SyrianCyberArmy" and suggested the action was in response to the suspension of the @Official_SEA account.

Tweets sent out on the @48Hours account reportedly included: "General Dempsey calls for #Obama's arrest under new anti-terror laws #48hours".

Gen Martin Dempsey is chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Twitter has not commented on the latest account hackings.