Scores more soldiers defect from Syrian army

A senior military officer in the Syrian city of Hama has defected along with up to 50 of his soldiers, in protest against the government's ten-month crackdown on peaceful demonstrations that has claimed thousands of lives across the country.

Colonel Afeef Mahmoud Suleiman, who is from the air force logistics division, announced his defection live on Al Jazeera's Arabic news channel on Saturday.

Suleiman said he and his men had taken on a new mission to keep protesters in Hama safe during demonstrations.

Caroline Malone reports.