Syria vows to stop fighting as UN deadline‎ passes

(Beirut) – The deadline for a UN-backed ceasefire aimed at halting more than a year of violence in Syria has passed on with no immediate reports of fighting, activists said. Syria’s Defence Ministry said it would halt operations, but made no mention of an army pullback from cities and said it would confront “any assault” by armed groups.
Annan spokesman, Ahmad Fawzi said Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid Moallem sent a letter with an identical pledge to the joint UN-Arab League envoy. Fawzi said Annan will work with the Syrian government on implementation of his six-point plan to end the bloodshed. “The joint special envoy looks forward to the continue support of relevant countries in this regard”, Fawzi said.