Fierce clashes with rebels in Damascus

The road to the airport in the Syrian capital Damascus has been closed and flights cancelled amid reports of fierce clashes with rebels in the area.

The government appears to be mounting an unprecedented offensive against rebel-held districts in the east of the city.

The clashes came as internet and phone systems in the country went down.

The Syrian government has previously cut off access to the internet during major operations.

But Syria's information minister said "terrorists" had cut off the internet and that engineers were working to repair the fault.