Syria's phone and internet services are still cut off

Syria has suffered its biggest communications blackout since the uprising against President Assad began 20 months ago.

Both internet and mobile phone services have been down in the capital, Damascus and parts of central Syria.

The BBC's Lina Sinjab is in the city and spoke to BBC World via a mobile telephone.

She said it was almost impossible to make international calls and the internet had been completely cut off as part of a government operation.

There has been heavy fighting around the airport in Damascus and several flights have been cancelled.