Turkey recalls consul from Syrian city Aleppo

Turkey has recalled its consul from the Syrian city of Aleppo, a Foreign Ministry official said on Monday, after battles between insurgents and President Bashar al-Assad's forces near the city's intelligence headquarters.

The move follows a counter-offensive that Syrian government forces launched after a bomb attack killed members of the country's ruling elite last week, a blow Assad's foes called a sign that the end of his grip on power was imminent. (Reuters)