STORY SUMMARY

Moscow accused Washington Thursday of prolonging the Syrian conflict by supporting the opposition, on the eve of a UN Security Council vote that threatens to further deepen big power divisions.On the ground, a car bomb exploded at a border crossing between Syria and Turkey as rebels battled to prevent regime forces from seizing their last stronghold in the strategic Qalamun region.

And Syria’s government media said Jordan was seeking to stir up the southern front in the country’s conflict after a stalemate in peace talks held in Geneva this month.

It supplies the government with weapons and provides diplomatic cover at the United Nations, where the Security Council is expected to vote Friday on a resolution on humanitarian aid for Syria.

Syria’s government daily Al-Thawra, meanwhile, accused Jordan of trying to stir up the southern front of the uprising, where rebels say they are preparing for a spring offensive against Damascus.