Assad promises referendum on new constitution

The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has decreed that a referendum on a new constitution will be held in mid-February, according to state television.

The document will drop the one party system currently ruled by the Baath Party.

The opposition has made it clear that it rejects any political motives by the regime, while there are still violent attacks on demonstrators.

An oil pipeline in the city of Homs was destroyed in an explosion earlier today.
Activists say it was hit by government artillery fire, either deliberately or by mistake.