* Syrian army advances along Lebanese border * Crusader castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site * Shells land in Leba**n (Recasts, adds quote from academic) By Oliver Holmes BEIRUT, Leba**n, March 20 (Reuters) - Syrian soldiers have raised the national flag on the battlements of a 900-year-old Crusader castle after a three-month siege that ended on Thursday when rebel fighters fled. The recapture of Crac des Chevaliers, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a real and symbolic victory over divided rebel factions. The army has also wrested back control of most of al-Hosn, the town below the hilltop castle, which was surrounded by Syrian troops for weeks until many rebels moved out on Thursday morning and the army moved in, according to residents.
03-25-2014, 12:07 AM
Syrian army retakes Crusader castle from rebels
العرض الشجري