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Smoke is seen coming up from a pipeline carrying oil from east to west Syria, which was blown up in the Soltaniyeh area near a refinery in the city of Homs on December 8, 2011.
Unknown armed groups have blown up a gas pipeline in the al-Rastan area near the western Syrian city of Homs, Press TV reports.

Following the explosion, clashes erupted between Syrian security forces and armed groups in Homs.

According to reports, a Lebanese and a Libyan national have been killed in the clashes.

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 security forces, have been killed in the turmoil.

While the West and the Syrian opposition accuse the Syrian government of the killings, Damascus blames ''outlaws, saboteurs and armed terrorist groups'' for the unrest, insisting that it is being orchestrated from abroad.