The Syrian state television network (SANA) stopped broadcasting on Saturday night, and the news agency's websites were inaccessible in Arabic and English.

Explosions and gunfire were heard near the general headquarters building and the government communications building in the capital.

Local sources said that Brigadier General Hossam Louka, the head of the regime's internal security services, tried to overthrow President Bashar Al-Assad, who was out of the country on Saturday.