Lebanon

In Idlib, Syria, residents scramble to rescue survivors, after government barrel bombs dropped on the area on Friday, in video that Reuters can't independently verify. Four years into its protracted war, Syria says it's confident it will win over the various rebel groups it's fighting -- despite rebel advances in recent weeks in the north and the west. Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad says two things leave him optimistic: The increased strength and morale of government forces ... and the support from allies like Iran, Russia and mainly Hezbollah. Now, a new faction fighting against Syria's insurgents has moved into the spotlight. Members of Syria's minority Druze helped repel a rebel attack on an army base in the south this week -- after at least 20 Druze villagers were killed by Nusra Front insurgents, raising fears for the minority group in Syria. Spiritual leaders of the wider Druze community -- they span across Lebanon, Israel, Jordan as well as Syria -- gathered in Beirut, Lebanon Friday. They're calling on their Syrian kin to defend themselves against groups like Nusra and the more powerful Islamic State.