Syria rebels, regime declare ceasefire

BEIRUT: Syrian rebels in the northern Damascus district of Barzeh on Sunday (Monday in Manila) agreed a local ceasefire with President Bashar al-Assad’s regime after nearly a year of fighting and bombardment, activists said.

“After intense negotiation in recent days between the regime and the [rebel] Free Syrian Army through mediators from the neighborhood, the following agreement has been reached: ceasefire between the two sides,” a statement posted by the opposition local council said.