This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38475830

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Syria conflict: UN to vote on Syria ceasefire deal Syria conflict: UN endorses Syria ceasefire deal
(about 1 hour later)
The UN Security Council is to vote on a draft Russian resolution endorsing the ceasefire agreement in Syria and plans for peace talks between both sides of the conflict. The UN Security Council has unanimously endorsed a ceasefire deal in Syria led by Turkey and Russia, as well as plans for fresh peace talks next month.
It also demands rapid access for aid to be delivered across the country. The resolution, drafted by Russia, also calls for rapid access for humanitarian aid to be delivered across the country.
But Syria's main rebel alliance says it will abandon the truce at 1800 GMT on Saturday if the government continues to attack areas under its control. Syria's main rebel alliance had threatened to abandon the truce by 18:00 GMT if the government continued to attack areas under its control.
It is urging the council not to endorse the resolution unless the strikes stop. It had urged the UN not to endorse the resolution unless the strikes stopped.
The Free Syrian Army (FSA) issued the ultimatum to Russia - Syria's key ally - amid reports of intense bombardment by government forces on the rebel-held Wadi Barada area of Damascus, which the rebels say is in breach of the truce.The Free Syrian Army (FSA) issued the ultimatum to Russia - Syria's key ally - amid reports of intense bombardment by government forces on the rebel-held Wadi Barada area of Damascus, which the rebels say is in breach of the truce.
But shelling on the area concerned ceased just minutes before the deadline, the group's legal adviser, Ousama Abou Zeid, said.
The ceasefire, which began just over a day ago, has mostly held elsewhere.The ceasefire, which began just over a day ago, has mostly held elsewhere.
It applies across Syria but does not cover certain rebel groups including the jihadists of so-called Islamic State (IS) and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (JFS), and the Kurdish YPG militia.It applies across Syria but does not cover certain rebel groups including the jihadists of so-called Islamic State (IS) and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (JFS), and the Kurdish YPG militia.
Earlier on Saturday, the FSA said that, following statements from Russian officials, it was "surprised" to find that its version of the agreement differed from that of the government.Earlier on Saturday, the FSA said that, following statements from Russian officials, it was "surprised" to find that its version of the agreement differed from that of the government.
The Russian UN resolution comes against a backdrop of deadlock among the veto-wielding members of the Security Council, with Russia supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the US, UK and France insisting he must step down as part of any deal to end the war. The UN resolution comes against a backdrop of deadlock among the veto-wielding members of the Security Council, with Russia supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the US, UK and France insisting he must step down as part of any deal to end the war.
Russia and Turkey also back opposite sides in the conflict, with Turkey supporting the rebellion against Mr Assad.Russia and Turkey also back opposite sides in the conflict, with Turkey supporting the rebellion against Mr Assad.
Why is Wadi Barada so important?Why is Wadi Barada so important?
On Thursday, the UN expressed concern about the fighting in the town, saying fighters were deliberately targeting and damaging springs used to supply some four million people in the Damascus area with drinking water.On Thursday, the UN expressed concern about the fighting in the town, saying fighters were deliberately targeting and damaging springs used to supply some four million people in the Damascus area with drinking water.
Wadi Barada is held by opposition forces, including JFS, which was known as al-Nusra Front until it formally broke ties with al-Qaeda in July.Wadi Barada is held by opposition forces, including JFS, which was known as al-Nusra Front until it formally broke ties with al-Qaeda in July.
On Saturday, the FSA accused the government and Iranian militias of "brazen violations" in the town, accusing them of planning a "massacre" which would "lead to an immediate end" of the truce.On Saturday, the FSA accused the government and Iranian militias of "brazen violations" in the town, accusing them of planning a "massacre" which would "lead to an immediate end" of the truce.
"We call on Russia which signed the agreement as a guarantor for the regime and its allies to bear its responsibility," the rebels said."We call on Russia which signed the agreement as a guarantor for the regime and its allies to bear its responsibility," the rebels said.
The FSA added that it was "fully committed to the ceasefire in accordance with a comprehensive truce which does not exclude any area or faction present in opposition areas".The FSA added that it was "fully committed to the ceasefire in accordance with a comprehensive truce which does not exclude any area or faction present in opposition areas".
Who is included in the truce agreement?Who is included in the truce agreement?
On the one side, Syrian government forces, allied militias and the Russian military.On the one side, Syrian government forces, allied militias and the Russian military.
On the other, the FSA plus several other groups.On the other, the FSA plus several other groups.
The Russian defence ministry named seven "moderate opposition formations" included in the truce as Faylaq al-Sham, Ahrar al-Sham, Jaysh al-Islam, Thuwwar Ahl al-Sham, Jaysh al-Mujahidin, Jaysh Idlib and Jabhah al-Shamiya.The Russian defence ministry named seven "moderate opposition formations" included in the truce as Faylaq al-Sham, Ahrar al-Sham, Jaysh al-Islam, Thuwwar Ahl al-Sham, Jaysh al-Mujahidin, Jaysh Idlib and Jabhah al-Shamiya.
Ahrar al-Sham, which said it had "reservations" about the deal, and Jaysh al-Islam are Islamist groups that Russia has previously described as terrorist organisations.Ahrar al-Sham, which said it had "reservations" about the deal, and Jaysh al-Islam are Islamist groups that Russia has previously described as terrorist organisations.
Who is not included?Who is not included?
IS and JFS and the groups affiliated to them", are not part of the agreement, according to the Syrian army.IS and JFS and the groups affiliated to them", are not part of the agreement, according to the Syrian army.
JFS said on Friday it would continue to fight President Assad, with a spokesman saying the political solution under the truce would "reproduce the criminal regime".JFS said on Friday it would continue to fight President Assad, with a spokesman saying the political solution under the truce would "reproduce the criminal regime".
Members of the group are currently operating as part of a rebel alliance that controls Idlib province.Members of the group are currently operating as part of a rebel alliance that controls Idlib province.
The FSA also said the deal did not include the Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG).The FSA also said the deal did not include the Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG).
The militia, which has captured large swathes of north-eastern Syria from IS with US support, is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey.The militia, which has captured large swathes of north-eastern Syria from IS with US support, is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey.
The truce is nominally nationwide, although that really only covers the areas where the sides who have signed up have a presence - western Syria.The truce is nominally nationwide, although that really only covers the areas where the sides who have signed up have a presence - western Syria.