Syria: Seven soldiers killed in rebel town

Seven Syrian soldiers and police were killed in a military operation against "terrorists" in the central town of Rastan, the state news agency said on Friday, in the first official comment on a three-day offensive to recapture the area from army defectors.

"The units responsible have inflicted big losses on the armed terrorist groups," the agency said, quoting a military spokesman. It added that troops and security police "were continuing to chase members of these terrorist groups to restore security and stability to Rastan and its citizens". (Reuters)