The Muslim Brotherhood urged the Syrian people on Tuesday to rise up and back rebels locked in a "decisive battle" against the troops of President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.

The influential Islamist group said the people must seize "this historic moment" by providing support for rebels who are fighting troops in several parts of Damascus for the third consecutive day.

"Prepare to become soldiers in the decisive battle. You will secure victory with your own two hands," a statement added.

The battle for Damascus must be "the gate to victory" in the 16-month uprising against Assad's autocratic regime.

"Our battle is now in Damascus ... and this requires that we mobilise all the forces and all our efforts to secure victory," the Brotherhood said.

The Brotherhood urged the people to hold peaceful demonstrations day and night against the regime and in support of the armed rebels.

The statement follows the announcement late Monday by the rebel Free Syrian Army that it had launched a large-scale operation dubbed "the Damascus volcano and earthquakes of Syria".

[AFP]