Fatima Khan, mother of the British surgeon who died in a Syrian prison, gestures during an interview with Reuters in Beirut
Fatima Khan, mother of the British surgeon who died in a Syrian prison, gestures during an interview with Reuters in Beirut December 18, 2013. Fatima and Afroze, the mother and brother of a British surgeon who died in a Syrian prison days before his planned release this week, are pleading with authorities to return the man's body and put an end to their family's 13-month ordeal. Fatima said the government has not released the body of her son Abbas, who had been imprisoned since last November after travelling to rebel-held Aleppo to offer his medical services. Picture taken December 18. To match story SYRIA-CRISIS/BRITONS REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)
Afroze, brother of the British surgeon who died in a Syrian prison, attends an interview with Reuters in Beirut
Afroze, brother of the British surgeon who died in a Syrian prison, attends an interview with Reuters in Beirut December 18, 2013. Fatima Khan and Afroze, the mother and brother of a British surgeon who died in a Syrian prison days before his planned release this week, are pleading with authorities to return the man's body and put an end to their family's 13-month ordeal. Fatima said the government has not released the body of her son Abbas, who had been imprisoned since last November after travelling to rebel-held Aleppo to offer his medical services. Picture taken December 18. To match story SYRIA-CRISIS/BRITONS REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: HEALTH POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)
Soldiers carry out raids and searches at the area around Sunday's attack on the Lebanese army, in Sidon
Soldiers carry out raids and searches at the area around Sunday's attack on the Lebanese army, in Sidon southern Lebanon December 19, 2013. Gunmen attacked two army checkpoints outside the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on Sunday, killing a soldier and wounding three others, the army said. Four attackers were also killed in the clashes around the Mediterranean city, which was the scene of heavy fighting six months ago between the army and supporters of a Sunni Muslim cleric who backs rebels in neighbouring Syria's conflict. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho (LEBANON - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS MILITARY)
Syria Islamists perpetrate "shocking abuses" - Amnesty
Children as young as eight are held in inhumane, cruel conditions which include flogging and torture by members of the al Qaeda-linked Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)
Soldiers carry out raids and searches at the area around Sunday's attack on the Lebanese army, in Sidon
Soldiers carry out raids and searches at the area around Sunday's attack on the Lebanese army, in Sidon southern Lebanon December 19, 2013. Gunmen attacked two army checkpoints outside the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on Sunday, killing a soldier and wounding three others, the army said. Four attackers were also killed in the clashes around the Mediterranean city, which was the scene of heavy fighting six months ago between the army and supporters of a Sunni Muslim cleric who backs rebels in neighbouring Syria's conflict. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho (LEBANON - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS MILITARY)
China military ship to help guard Syria chemical weapons destruction
SYRIA-CRISIS/CHINA (TV):China military ship to help guard Syria chemical weapons destruction
For Displaced Syrians, Safety Is Always Elusive
When conflict spread to the northern Syrian province of Aleppo last winter, it destroyed almost everything in its path -- including the rural town where Zakiya's home once stood. Zakiya has been on the move ever since, constantly running from a conflict that keeps finding her.
Russia signals to Syria's Assad to stay silent on re-election
SYRIA-CRISIS/RUSSIA (UPDATE 1):UPDATE 1-Russia signals to Syria's Assad to stay silent on re-election
Russian diplomat wary of Syrian leader's hints he may seek new term
SYRIA-CRISIS/RUSSIA:Russian diplomat wary of Syrian leader's hints he may seek new term