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Syria

Syrian troops fight rebels near Damascus

  • Troops battle rebels in Damascus suburb Douma

  • Governor tells Arab monitors authorities seek ceasefire

  • Arab League chief tells Assad to stop killing "innocents"

  • Russia opposes U.N. sanctions, intervention

By Mariam Karouny

HARASTA, Syria, Jan 26 (Reuters) - A 10-month-old revolt against President Bashar al-Assad edged closer to the Syrian capital on Thursday as troops battled rebels in a town just north of Damascus and a provincial governor spoke of negotiating local ceasefires.

A Syrian officer told Reuters clashes had been under way in Douma since the morning. Security forces were searching houses for arms and wanted suspects. Reporters were shown home-made grenades among other seized weapons.

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