In brief: Police fire on protesters’ camp

Syrian police early today reportedly opened fire on thousands of protesters who’d occupied a key square in the Syrian city of Homs hours earlier to demand the resignation of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The gunfire was the latest sign that the monthlong anti-Assad rebellion is continuing to gain momentum.

Al-Jazeera, the Arabic satellite news channel, reported that at least two people were injured.

The demonstrators had said they planned to camp overnight in the square, and thousands had gathered there Monday after a funeral for eight protesters who were killed in the city Sunday during clashes with police.

Taliban behind ministry attack

KABUL, Afghanistan – A Taliban militant opened fire inside the Afghan Defense Ministry on Monday, killing two Afghan soldiers.

The Taliban said one of their agents who was also an army officer planned the attack.

Despite the Taliban claim, Afghan military officials said it was not immediately clear whether the assailant – who was wearing a vest rigged with explosives – was an enlisted soldier or an insurgent disguised in a military uniform. The vest did not explode.

Rioters torch official buildings

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – Students burned down the ruling party headquarters and the prime minister’s house on Monday and a soldiers’ mutiny spread to several corners of Burkina Faso, posing a grave challenge to a president who seized power in a bloody coup 24 years ago.

President Blaise Compaore had announced Friday he was dissolving his government and naming a new army chief and a new head of presidential security.

But the steps have failed to stem the discontent that is sweeping over this impoverished, landlocked nation in West Africa.

The mutiny began Thursday in Compaore’s presidential compound, when members of the presidential guard began firing into the air, demanding unpaid housing allowances.