BICOM

Britain called for tougher sanctions on Syria yesterday, with Prime Minister David Cameron accusing Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement of helping support Assad, whom he described as “a wretched tyrant.” Cameron told the House of Commons that, “Britain needs to lead the way in making sure we tighten the sanctions, the travel bans, the asset freezes, on Syria.”

European Union governments are expected next Monday to expand the list of Syrian individuals, companies and institutions targeted by EU sanctions. However, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned the West against a Security Council resolution that suggests military intervention in Syria, and emphasised that Moscow and Beijing oppose sanctions.

Meanwhile yesterday, opposition forces in Syria succeeded in taking control of an area outside the capital Damascus, as Syrian troops withdrew from the town, according to an Al-Arabiya report. The Free Syria Army took control of the area of al-Zabadani, 19 miles outside the capital, marking the first time anti-regime forces have succeeded in holding territory inside Syria.

Syrian troops reportedly withdrew after rebels and government forces agreed a ceasefire one day earlier. According to the report, a deal was reached between town leaders and Deputy Defense Minister Assef Shawkat, who is the brother-in-law of Syrian President Bashar Assad. So far, the Syrian government has issued no comment on the matter.

According to opposition sources, the Syrian army shelled the city of Daraa yesterday killing five. More than 5,000 civilians have been killed since anti-government protests erupted in Syria in March, according to UN estimates.