Syria Warns Journalists against Sneaking In

Syria warned on Saturday of legal measures against media organizations who allow their reporters to sneak into the violence-hit country, where three Western journalists have been killed.

The information ministry said authorities will take "the necessary measures against these people and these (media) organizations in conformity with the law," state-run SANA news agency reported.

"Media who try to infiltrate their journalists illegally into Syria will be held legally responsible for their action and for any repercussions that could arise concerning the journalists," it said.

The ministry accused "correspondents of certain media, particularly certain satellite channels known for their hostility towards Syria," of travelling with "terrorists" who commit crimes against the Syrian people.

"This is tantamount to complicity with terrorism" and calls for "judicial action," it said according to SANA.

Three Western journalists have been killed in Syria over the past year.

Two of them, veteran US reporter Marie Colvin of the Sunday Times, and French photographer Remi Ochlik, were killed in a rocket attack on a makeshift media center in the rebel city of Homs on February 22.

Two others French citizen, journalist Edith Bouvier and photographer William Daniels, were wounded in the same attack.