(Adds state television says
town recaptured) BEIRUT, April 9 (Reuters) -
forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad recaptured the rebel-held Syrian
border town of Rankous on Wednesday, military sources and state television said, consolidating their control over a former
rebel supply line from neighbouring Leba**n. The capture of Rankous was the latest stage of an offensive by the army and Hezbollah fighters to seal off the
border region and secure the main highway leading **rth from Damascus towards central Syria, Homs and the Mediterranean coast. "Army units completed their operations in Rankous and restored security and stability to the
town after killing a large number of terrorists," state television said. Wednesday's advance took place less than a month after Hezbollah and the Syrian army recaptured the
rebel stronghold of Yabroud, choking off the vital supply line into central Syria.
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