INSIGHT-Syrian al Qaeda reach foothills of Israeli-held Golan
The southern front's potential as a launchpad for an offensive against the capital means it could ultimately pose the main challenge to Assad
Containers on the deck of Ark Futura, a Danish-chartered cargo vessel, carry precursors to sarin gas, part of the effort to extract chemical weapon stockpiles from Syria, in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
REFILE - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Containers on the deck of Ark Futura, a Danish-chartered cargo vessel, carry precursors to sarin gas, part of the effort to extract chemical weapon stockpiles from Syria, in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, May 13, 2014. MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company denies ownership of the containers seen here and also denies any involvement in this effort. Journalists were given access for the first time to the vessel, which is sailing in international waters south-east of Cyprus awaiting the pick-up of more chemicals from Latakia under an international accord to destroy Damascus' chemical stockpile. Denmark, providing one of two container vessels taking delivery of Syrian chemical weapons for destruction, urged Damascus o expedite the process and said it could not wait beyond a June 30 deadline. REUTERS/Staff (MEDITERRANEAN SEA - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)
Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard speaks to media in front of containers carrying precursors to sarin gas in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
REFILE - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard speaks to media in front of containers, carrying precursors to sarin gas, part of the effort to extract chemical weapon stockpiles from Syria, on the vessel Ark Futura a Danish cargo ship docked in international waters in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea May 13, 2014. MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company denies ownership of the containers seen here and also denies any involvement in this effort. Journalists were given access for the first time to the vessel, which is sailing in international waters south-east of Cyprus awaiting the pick-up of more chemicals from Latakia under an international accord to destroy Damascus' chemical stockpile. Denmark, providing one of two container vessels taking delivery of Syrian chemical weapons for destruction, urged Damascus to expedite the process and said it could not wait beyond a June 30 deadline. REUTERS/Staff (MEDITERRANEAN SEA - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)
Containers on the Ark Futura, a Danish-chartered cargo vessel, carry precursors to sarin gas, part of the effort to extract chemical weapon stockpiles from Syria, in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
REFILE - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Containers on the Ark Futura, a Danish-chartered cargo vessel, carry precursors to sarin gas, part of the effort to extract chemical weapon stockpiles from Syria, in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, May 13, 2014. MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company denies ownership of the containers seen here and also denies any involvement in this effort. Journalists were given access for the first time to the vessel, which is sailing in international waters south-east of Cyprus awaiting the pick-up of more chemicals from Latakia under an international accord to destroy Damascus' chemical stockpile. Denmark, providing one of two container vessels taking delivery of Syrian chemical weapons for destruction, urged Damascus to expedite the process and said it could not wait beyond a June 30 deadline. REUTERS/Staff (MEDITERRANEAN SEA - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)
U.S.-Egypt military ties will depend on Egypt's actions -U.S. general
USA-EGYPT/:U.S.-Egypt military ties will depend on Egypt's actions -U.S. general
A Free Syrian Army fighter looks on during preparations ahead of what they said was an offensive against forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Maarat Al-Nouman, Idlib
A Free Syrian Army fighter looks on during preparations ahead of what they said was an offensive against forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Maarat Al-Nouman, Idlib May 21, 2014. REUTERS/Rasem Ghareeb (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)
Free Syrian Army fighters stand beside a tank during preparations ahead of what they said was an offensive against forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Maarat Al-Nouman, Idlib
Free Syrian Army fighters stand beside a tank during preparations ahead of what they said was an offensive against forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Maarat Al-Nouman, Idlib May 21, 2014. REUTERS/Rasem Ghareeb (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)
A Free Syrian Army fighter uses a monocular during preparations ahead of what they said was an offensive against forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Maarat Al-Nouman, Idlib
A Free Syrian Army fighter uses a monocular during preparations ahead of what they said was an offensive against forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Maarat Al-Nouman, Idlib May 21, 2014. REUTERS/Rasem Ghareeb (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)
Free Syrian Army fighters walk during preparations ahead of what they said was an offensive against forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Maarat Al-Nouman, Idlib
Free Syrian Army fighters walk during preparations ahead of what they said was an offensive against forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Maarat Al-Nouman, Idlib May 21, 2014. REUTERS/Rasem Ghareeb (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)