Mass blackout hits cities in Syria

A mass blackout has hit most of Syria's southern and central cities, including the capital Damascus, following damage to key power stations presumably by rebels, local media reported.

Government engineers have started repairing the damaged stations in an effort to restore electric supply, which went out Monday morning, Imad Khamis, the minister of electricity, told the local Sham FM radio.

He did not say who was behind the sabotage, but the government blamed "armed terrorist groups" for a previous power-cut, reports Xinhua.

In January 2012, rebels attacked a key power line near Damascus, causing a blackout in the capital and southern regions.