President Michel Suleiman denounced on Monday any violation of holy places and sites for the “symbols of civilization they hold and spirit of peace and tolerance they have.”

The president expressed deep dismay after reports that Syrian rebels, including jihadists linked to al-Qaida, have taken control on Sunday of the historic Christian town of Maalula north of Damascus. The town, home to around 5,000 people, is strategically important for rebels, who are trying to tighten their grip around the capital that could also be used as a launching point for attacks on the highway between the capital and Homs, reports say.

The battle for the town left at least 17 rebels dead and more than 100 wounded overnight, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, adding that dozens of regime forces and pro-militia members were also killed or wounded. [Link]