DAMASCUS, Dec. 2 -- Radical jihadists from al-Qaida- linked groups on Monday fully controlled Syria's Christian town of Maaloula north of the capital Damascus, the pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV reported.

The armed radicals have fully controlled the town of Maaloula and started burning houses inside of it, the TV said, adding that the rebels have also kidnapped 16 nuns from Mar Thecla Monastery, the largest monastery in that key historic area.

Maaloula is one of the oldest cradles of Christianity in Syria.

Maaloula has witnessed intense clashes between the government troops and the rebels over the past three days. Social Affairs Minister Kinda al-Shammat, voiced concern over the capture of the nuns.

Syria's Foreign Ministry sent two identical letters on Monday to the chairman of the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary- General on the rebels' attack against Maaloula town and the desecration of churches and houses.

"We call on the UN Security Council to condemn these terrorist acts in the strongest terms, and we call on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities and exert pressure on the countries which are supporting these groups to stop providing them with support," the ministry said in the letter.