Syrian troops seize rebel stronghold

According to opposition activists, the Syrian army has taken control of Idlib which was previously controlled by the opposition forces.

Syrian security forces are reportedly carrying out house-to-house searches in the north-western city of Idlib, which has been a stronghold of the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

It is not clear where the rebels have gone, or how many people have died.

Meanwhile, the UN envoy to Syria said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has sent a response to a proposed peace plan.

Kofi Annan was considering the reply but had questions "and was seeking answers", his spokesman said.

The plan delivered to Damascus by the former UN secretary general, who is also representing the Arab League, includes demands for an immediate ceasefire by both sides, access for humanitarian aid, and the beginning of political dialogue.

Syrian foreign ministry spokesman Jihad al-Maqdisi said that President Assad's response had been positive because he wanted Annan's mission to succeed.

"It is in Syria's vital interest to have a successful mission for Annan, because Syria believes in a political solution to this crisis," he said.

Annan will brief the UN Security Council on his mission on Friday.

Saudi Arabia has closed its embassy in Damascus and withdrawn all remaining staff because of the violence.

The kingdom had already withdrawn its ambassador and expelled Syria's envoy from Saudi Arabia.

The United States, UK and France have all closed their embassies in Damascus in recent weeks.

On Monday, the president of the UN General Assembly said more than 8,000 people had been killed since the uprising began last March.