[02:21.38]So I’m convinced that it’s nothing more than a provocation by those who want to drag other countries into the Syrian conflict.”

[02:28.61]The Syrian government says its armed forces are on full alert and ready to face any potential foreign attack.

[02:35.54]State television quoted the Syrian prime minister Wael al-Halqi as saying that troops had their finger on the trigger and were prepared for any challenge.

[02:44.32]Some reports said the Syrian army had been moving military equipment to civilian areas in anticipation of possible US-led strikes.

[02:51.76]BBC correspondent says residents have been stocking up on food.

[02:55.84]You are listening to the World News from the BBC

[03:00.40]Thousands of protesters in Iraq have defied security threats staging demonstrations against what they say a generous privileges and benefits enjoyed by members of parliament.

[03:11.50]Iraqi politicians are entitled to pension payments of several thousand dollars a month far higher than other workers.

[03:18.18]The protesters also aired longstanding grievances about widespread corruption and the poor state of public services.

[03:24.79]The family of an Indian student who died after being gang raped on a bus in Delhi last December say they are not satisfied with the sentence given to a teenager found guilty of her murder.

[03:36.05]The man who was 17 at the time was sentenced to three years.