Syria (and Beyond) Live Coverage: Back to the War of Attrition
Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 14:01 | Scott Lucas in Africa, EA Global, EA Middle East and Turkey, Middle East and Iran See also Saudi Arabia Feature: A Precious Moment with the Religious Police
Bahrain Audio Feature: Why the Detention of Photojournalist Ahmed Humaidan Matters --- Scott Lucas with Monocle 24
Friday's Syria (and Beyond) Live Coverage: A Deadly Car Bomb in Damascus
1943 GMT: Syria. AFP opens its profile of elderly Christians sheltering near the front lines in Aleppo:
The aging Christians holed up inside a retirement home in the devastated northern Syrian city of Aleppo have no light, no telephone lines, and little idea of what is happening in the outside world.
But fellow Christians and rebel fighters still ensure they do not go hungry, bringing the dozen or so residents whatever food they can every day.
The St. Elie Rest Home, founded in 1863, is behind a black metal door on a street strewn with debris and rubbish a short way from the front line where rebels and regime forces face off against each other.
"We welcome everyone who has been abandoned or is in need," says Sister Marie, 75, the beaming Mother Superior.
"This is a place where life can be enjoyed," she adds, gesturing to the 20 rooms adjoining a cloister and courtyard with a fountain and greenery.