BEIRUT - A Syrian opposition umbrella group said on Saturday it welcomed a complex truce deal brokered by Moscow and Washington provided it was honoured by the regime. "We welcome the deal if it is going to be enforced," she told the BBC, and said the HNC was "absolutely in favour" of a cessation of hostilities. The two powers back opposing sides in the conflict, with Moscow supporting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and Washington backing a coalition of rebel groups it regards as moderate. But Islamist rebel groups have been closely allied with Fateh al-Sham in fighting pro-government forces in northern Syria, drawing repeated rebukes from Moscow. Kodmani said the rebels would break ranks with the jihadists if the truce deal held.

Source: Bangkok Post September 10, 2016 10:41 UTC