Informed sources in Syria say security forces have arrested 57 members of armed gangs in the southern city of Homs.
On Tuesday, the sources said a Saudi national and a man named Khaled al-Rajeh were also killed during clashes between security forces and armed men in Homs.
Rajeh had a Saudi passport and had received military training in Jordan, Lebanon and Britain, according to the sources.
Syrian security forces also seized the Israeli and US-made arms from the armed gangs during the operation.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March, with demonstrations being held both against and in favor of President Bashar al-Assad. Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed in the turmoil.
Speaking to Britain's Sunday Times newspaper on Saturday, President Assad warned against any foreign attack against Syria, saying the military action will cause instability in the whole Middle East.
Assad said the Arab League's intervention could provide a pretext for a Western military action.
The Arab League voted to suspend Syria's membership during an emergency session in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on November 12, and called for the imposition of sanctions against the country.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem censured the Arab League on Sunday, saying the organization is being used as a “tool” to take the Syrian crisis to the UN Security Council.
The Syrian government blames what it describes as outlaws, saboteurs and armed terrorist groups for the unrest in the country, saying that it is being orchestrated from abroad.
On Sunday, thousands of Syrians held a demonstration in the capital Damascus to show their support for President Assad.
Press TV
