DAMASCUS, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian state TV before dawn Saturday dismissed as "absolutely baseless" media reports that its branch in the crucial northern Aleppo province was overrun by the rebels.

Previously, the Saudi-funded al-Arabyia TV said the so-called Free Syrian Army rebels have taken control of the media Center in Aleppo.

Meanwhile, Syrian state TV said the armed "mercenaries" have attacked the civilians and the surrounding of the state media center, adding that the Syrian army has responded and stopped them.

The pro-government Sham FM radio also cited its reporters in Aleppo to deny the al-Arabyia TV report, but said that severe clashes are currently underway in Aleppo.

The clashes in Aleppo have been raging on since last week after the armed insurgents declared the start of the campaign to "liberate" Aleppo, Syria's largest city and commercial hub.

The western-backed armed rebels have been trying to make territorial gains in Aleppo due to its strategic location on the borders with Turkey, a fervent supporter of the anti-regime movement in Syria, in order to make a scenario akin to the Libyan one when The NATO-backed rebels had managed to use Benghazi as launching pad for their assaults. Enditem

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