Syrian and Russian jets are stepping up strikes on opposition forces in northern Syria in retaliation for the sudden offensive that has cost the regime control of the country’s second largest city, Aleppo.

Russia and Iran have offered military and diplomatic support to the Syrian government as it tries to stanch a major rebel advance.

As Syrian and Russian jets continue pounding targets, two airstrikes hit a group of four hospitals and the health directorate building in Idlib city, according to the Syrian Civil Defense that operates in opposition-held areas,

By Felix Light TBILISI (Reuters) -Georgian police arrested a prominent opposition leader early on Monday after using water cannon and tear gas to scatter anti-government protesters who rallied outside parliament for the fourth straight night.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday agreed to hold talks with two former ministers and an opposition party on the country's European course, after days of increasingly tense protests by opposition supporters.