As peace talks between government and rebel forces grow closer the Syrian people are "building great hopes on the conference", according to mediator Lakhdar Brahimi.

With diplomatic moves to end Syria's conflict locked in paralysis, there is a very real danger the country's huge chemical weapons stockpile could either be used or fall into the hands of jihadists.

The Syrian rebel apparently pictured "eating a soldier's heart" was captured in a Channel 4 News report last year. Filmmaker Mani recalls Abu Sakkar joking that he would "cut his throat".

At least 40 people are dead and another 100 injured after explosions in a border town in southern Turkey, says the interior minister.

A UN investigator says there is evidence rebel groups may have used chemical weapons, as the battle for the Middle East's largest chemical weapons facility continues to rage.

Concerns are raised that the stage is being set for foreign military intervention in Syria following a second Israeli airstrike in Syria in two days.

Explosions shake Damascus as Israel reportedly carries out its second air strike on Syria in three days.

Israel has carried out another airstrike against neighbouring Syria, targeting a shipment of missiles bound for Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.