Four days of clashes between pro-government gunmen and members of a minority sect in Syria have left nearly 100 people dead and raised fears of deadly sectarian violence. The country is deeply divided as it tries to emerge from decades of dictatorship.

The Syrian government rejected calls for foreign intervention after a Druze leader slammed Damascus over the latest bout of sectarian violence in the country.

Sectarian violence has erupted again in Syria, raising fresh doubt on the ability of the new Islamist rulers to control armed factions and calm tensions.