Syrian rebels plan raids to exploit West strikes

Opposition fighters across Syria are preparing to launch attacks that exploit anticipated US-led military strikes.

Opposition fighters across Syria are preparing to launch attacks that exploit anticipated US-led military strikes,but there are no plans to coordinate with Western forces,a Syrian rebel commander said on Saturday. Qassim Saadeddine,a former Syrian army colonel and spokesman for the rebels Supreme Military Council,said the council had sent a selection of rebel groups a military plan of action to use if strikes took place. The hope is to take advantage when some areas are weakened by any strikes. We ordered some groups to prepare in each province,to ready their fighters for when the strike happens, he told Reuters.

Israel deploys missile defence in Tel Aviv

The Israeli military says it has deployed an Iron Dome missile defence battery in the Tel Aviv area. Israel fears Damascus may fire missiles at Israel,a close American ally. It has called up reservists and deployed missile defence batteries in the northern part of the country. The military said Saturday the deployment has now extended to the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Large crowds also gathered at gas mask distribution centres across the country.

Sixth US ship now in eastern Mediterranean

A sixth US warship is now operating in the eastern Mediterranean,near five US destroyers armed with cruise missiles that could soon be directed against Syria as part of a limited,precise strike,defence officials said late Friday.

Several countries warn against travel to Lebanon

Several countries have advised their citizens against travelling to Lebanon as regional tensions grow. Those issuing the advice include Bahrain,Kuwait,Britain and France,while Austria told its citizens to contact its embassy in Lebanon before travelling there. Bahrain and Kuwait also urged its nationals in the country to leave immediately,their state news agencies reported. A senior security source in Lebanon said 14,000 people had left the country on Thursday alone,mostly Europeans.