Syrian accuses outsiders of aiding rebels

DAMASCUS, Syria, June 20 (UPI) -- Arab and international powers are supplying Syrian rebel groups with weapons and communication equipment, the government in Damascus said.

Norwegian Maj. Gen. Robert Mood, head of the U.N. observer mission in Syria, briefed members of the U.N. Security Council this week on the status of the conflict in Syria.

Syria is accused by some countries and U.N. officials of committing war crimes against its people during the 15-month long crisis.

The U.N. mission was suspended in part because members of the observer team had come under fire while on patrol.

The Syrian government, in a statement published by the official Syrian Arab News Agency, blamed "armed terrorist groups" for the attacks.

"The armed groups also disregarded (former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi) Annan's (peace) plan and the initial agreement between the United Nations and the Syrian government, assisted by Arab and international powers that are still providing the terrorists with up-to-date weapons and communication devices that help them in committing their crimes and sticking to their defiance of the U.N. plan," the statement read.

Mood said the monitoring team would remain inside the country. Neither side of the conflict appears to be honoring the terms of the April cease-fire.