Rebels in Syria's besieged eastern Ghouta discussing cease-fire with U.N.

WORLD

Rebels in Syria’s besieged eastern Ghouta discussing cease-fire with U.N.

Syrians walk along a destroyed street in the eastern Ghouta town of Saqba on Sunday, after regime forces took control of the southern pocket that was held by the Faylaq al-Rahman rebel group. Regime forces have retaken some 80 percent of eastern Ghouta since launching a brutal air and ground offensive on Sunday, carving it up into three ever-smaller pockets held by different rebel groups. | AFP-JIJI

Reuters

Mar 19, 2018

BEIRUT – The main rebel group in the southern pocket of Syria’s opposition-held eastern Ghouta said on Sunday it was negotiating with a United Nations delegation about a cease-fire, aid and the evacuation of urgent medical cases.

“We are engaged in arranging serious negotiations to guarantee the safety and protection of civilians,” said Wael Alwan, the Istanbul-based spokesman for Failaq al-Rahman.

“The most important points under negotiation are a cease-fire, ensuring aid for civilians and the exit of medical cases and injured people needing treatment outside Ghouta.”