US accuses Hezbollah of aiding Assad

The United States has accused Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia, of stepping up support for the Syrian government, saying it has become part of President Bashar al-Assad's "killing machine".

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, told the Security Council's monthly meeting on the Middle East that Hezbollah leaders were continuing to plot new measures with Iran to keep Mr Assad in power. The US believes Hezbollah is sending fighters to help the Syrian regime.