The Daily Telegraph reports: Syrian army defectors attacked an intelligence complex on the edge of the capital Damascus early on Wednesday, following reports the country will boycott today’s Arab League meeting.

Wednesday’s attack was the first such reported assault on a major security facility in the eight-month uprising against Assad, activists said.

Members of the Free Syrian Army fired shoulder-mounted rockets and machineguns at a large Air Force Intelligence complex situated on the northern edge of the capital on the Damascus-Aleppo highway at about 2:30 a.m. (0030 GMT).

A gunfight ensued and helicopters circled the area, the sources said.

Meanwhile the rebel Free Syrian Army announced on Wednesday the creation of a temporary military council with the aim of ousting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and protecting civilians from his forces.

“Based on the requirements of this phase and the demands of the Syrian revolution, the Free Syrian Army is establishing a temporary military council,” a statement said.