BBC news with Sue Montgomery.

There have been reports of heavy fightings around the Syrian capital Damascus. According to activists, government forces used tanks and

artillery

in clashes with rebel fighters from the Free Syrian Army. Jim Muir reports from neighboring Lebanon.

The clashes between government forces and rebels from the Free Syrian Army seemed to be creeping ever close to the heart of Damascus and the center of regime's power. According the activists, the latest violence erupted around the southern edge of the city, the areas of like Tadhamon and Midan and around Palestinian refugee camps nearby. Tanks and mortars were reported to be used by government forces and in some areas residents were set to be fleeing.

Meanwhile the International Red Cross says it believes the conflict in Syria can now effectively be classified as a civil war. This means that combatants can be held accountable for any abuses of the Geneva Convention.

The head the Egypt's military council has said the armed forces will not allow anyone to prevent them from fulfilling their role of Egypt's protector. Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi made the comment shortly after meeting the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. She is reported to have stressed that the army must honor its commitment to a full transition to a civilian rule. Jon Leyne reports from Cairo.

Hillary Clinton met Field Marshal Tantawi for an hour with very much the same massage she had on Saturday for president Mursi. The United States supports and encourages a