(BBC) Damascus – Rebels in Syria have rejected a last-minute demand by the government, made just 48 hours ahead of a proposed ceasefire which now looks set to fail. Damascus on Sunday had called for written guarantees from rebel fighters to end attacks and a promise from foreign states not to fund them.
The Free Syrian Army said it backed the UN-Arab League truce, but refused to meet the government’s demands. Violence has risen ahead of Tuesday’s deadline for the ceasefire to start.