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An opposition fighter reacts in front of flames which rise from a burning shop damaged by shelling by Syrian government forces, in Baba Amro neighbourhood in Homs province, central Syria. Image Credit: AP

Dubai: Syrian intelligence has orchestrated an Al Qaida call to support the Syrian uprising against the regime of Bashar Al Assad according to Lebanese Socialist Party leader MP Walid Junblatt.

He also said the purpose was to try to tarnish the image of the opposition movement and justify its ongoing crackdown.

Lebanese powers will likely employ the development to maintain their claims that Al Qaida had infiltrated the Bekaa town of Arsal, Junblatt added.

A few months ago, Defence Minister Fayez Gosn stated that members of the terrorist organisation had infiltrated the town and later entered Syria.

Twin bombing

Days after his declaration, twin bombing erupted in Damascus, which the Syrian regime blamed on Al Qaida.

The March 14-led opposition slammed Gosn’s remarks, saying that he may be linking Lebanon to the developments in Syria.

Zawahiri on Sunday voiced his support for Syria’s uprising and urged Muslims in several countries, including Lebanon, to come to the aid of Syrian rebels confronting Al Assad’s forces.