Fiercest clashes yet reported at the Lebanese-Syrian border crossings

Syrian President Bashar Assad "is not bluffing" about his determination to stay in power, Russia's foreign minister said in comments broadcast Friday, as negotiations to free 21 U.N. peacekeepers held by Syrian rebels dragged into a third day.               

This as a convoy of U.N. vehicles sent to pick up 21 peacekeepers held by Syrian rebels in the southern village of Jamla arrived at a neighboring village but is not able to reach their location due to shelling in the area, a rebel spokesman said.                    

Abu Essam Taseel said three Syrian army tanks and two military cars had pulled back from around Jamla but President Bashar al-Assad's forces were still deployed around it and bombarding the region.                         

The spokesman for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, Raul Hernandez, said the rebels had been expected to free the peacekeepers early Friday.     

Syrian rebels added that no talks were underway to free the men and gave no indication that they would be released soon.     

"To our family, we hope to see you soon and we are OK here," said a peacekeeper shown in one video. He was one of three troops dressed in camouflage and blue bullet-proof vests emblazoned with the words U.N. and Philippines.                              

However, a rebel spokesman seemed to suggest the hostages were also serving as human shields. If the U.N. troops are released and leave the area, the regime could kill "as many as 1,000 people," said the spokesman, who spoke via Skype and did not give his name for fear of reprisals.        
                       

Syrian newspaper accuses Qatar and Israel of ordering peacekeepers' abduction   

On another note, the Syrian Daily Tishreen considered on Friday that abductors of the peacekeepers received orders from Qatar and Israel to carry out the kidnapping.        

The Daily added that the armed group is backed by Western and Arab states which are encouraging the bloodshed in Syria.        


On the Ground            

 Fierce clashes were not only limited to Syria's south but were also reported on the Lebanese-Syrian border crossings.    

Meanwhile in Homs, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Assad's forces have bombarded opposition-held neighborhoods.                   

This as, opposition rebels clashed with the Syrian army and controlled parts of Aleppo city near Al Oumawi mosque.               

The Syrian army retaliated by bombarding the Al Atareb, Al Bab and Andan regions on Thursday overnight.        

The clashes left 144 rebels, 32 civilians, and 44 Syrian army soldiers dead.


For the full report, please click on the VIDEO above.