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Syria rebels agree Azaz ceasefire Syria rebels agree Azaz ceasefire
(35 minutes later)
Two Syrian rebel groups in the town of Azaz have agreed a ceasefire.Two Syrian rebel groups in the town of Azaz have agreed a ceasefire.
The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis), linked to al-Qaeda, seized the northern town on Wednesday from the larger Western-backed Free Syrian Army.The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis), linked to al-Qaeda, seized the northern town on Wednesday from the larger Western-backed Free Syrian Army.
The fighting between the two groups has raised fears of a possible war within a war.The fighting between the two groups has raised fears of a possible war within a war.
The BBC's Paul Wood, on the Syrian border with Turkey, says the two sides have agreed to exchange prisoners and hand back property.The BBC's Paul Wood, on the Syrian border with Turkey, says the two sides have agreed to exchange prisoners and hand back property.
It is unclear if the ceasefire will have an impact on clashes between the groups elsewhere in the country, he says.It is unclear if the ceasefire will have an impact on clashes between the groups elsewhere in the country, he says.
Analysts say there is more chance that the US and other Western powers may arm the Free Syrian Army if it shows a distinct separation from the Islamists.Analysts say there is more chance that the US and other Western powers may arm the Free Syrian Army if it shows a distinct separation from the Islamists.
Meanwhile, Syria's Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil is reported in the UK's Guardian newspaper as saying the civil war has reached stalemate, with neither government forces nor the rebels strong enough to win. Meanwhile, the party of Syria's Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil insists he was misquoted in Friday's edition of the UK's Guardian newspaper.
He said that at proposed peace talks in Geneva, Damascus would call for a ceasefire with the armed opposition. Mr Jamil reportedly told the paper that the civil war had reached stalemate, with neither government forces nor the rebels strong enough to win - and that the government would use proposed talks in Geneva to call for a ceasefire.
But Mr Jamil's People's Will Party says he was misquoted. But the People's Will Party said the Guardian journalist was ''neither precise nor professional'' about what he quoted Mr Jamil as saying.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said Tehran is ready to help broker peace in Syria, as part of what he called his country's "constructive engagement" policy with other nations.Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said Tehran is ready to help broker peace in Syria, as part of what he called his country's "constructive engagement" policy with other nations.
In an article in the Washington Post newspaper, Mr Rouhani wrote: "We must create an atmosphere where peoples of the region can decide their own fates."In an article in the Washington Post newspaper, Mr Rouhani wrote: "We must create an atmosphere where peoples of the region can decide their own fates."
Correspondents say the article is the latest signal that Mr Rouhani wants to improve Iran's relationship with the US and other countries that believe Iran is developing nuclear weapons.Correspondents say the article is the latest signal that Mr Rouhani wants to improve Iran's relationship with the US and other countries that believe Iran is developing nuclear weapons.
As a measure of the grip the jihadis have in Azaz, one eyewitness inside the town said no-one was smoking on the streets - tobacco is forbidden according to strict Islamist doctrine. Islamic laws
All of this started when a wounded fighter from Isis, or from an allied group, al-Muhajireen, was taken to the field clinic in Azaz. The fighting in Azaz began when a wounded rebel - either from Isis or from an allied group, al-Muhajireen - was taken to a field clinic and, while there, filmed as part of a fundraising exercise.
No outright winner? The wounded fighter demanded the film, and called some of his friends to come and help him.
Mr Jamil is quoted as telling the Guardian that the Syrian economy had suffered catastrophic losses in the civil war that began in early 2011. Free Syrian Army fighters, from a unit called the Northern Storm brigade, were guarding the field clinic, and there was a confrontation which ended up with Isis launching a full attack on the town, putting the Northern Storm brigade to flight.
More than 100,000 people have died in the conflict, according to the UN, and millions have fled the country or been made homeless. Isis is reported to have made a number of arrests of activists, journalists and even Sharia court officials during the time it controlled Azaz.
"Neither the armed opposition nor the regime is capable of defeating the other side," he said. "This zero balance of forces will not change for a while." One eyewitness inside the town said no-one was smoking on the streets - tobacco is forbidden according to strict Islamist doctrine.
Mr Jamil - a former communist whose party took part in demonstrations against the government at the beginning of the uprising - insisted he was speaking for the government.
The BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon says Mr Jamil's comments are bound to be dismissed by the Syrian opposition, which is deeply sceptical about talk of reform and democracy from government sources.