Syrian rebels agree in Qatar to stop fighting each other
Two Syrian rebel groups which have been fighting each other near Damascus have negotiated a ceasefire in Qatar, statements published by the two groups said.
More than 500 people have been killed since April when fighting erupted between rival Jaish al-Islam and Failaq al-Rahman groups. Their rift has been exploited by Syrian government forces to capture territory in the Eastern Ghouta area outside Damascus.
"A complete ceasefire agreement was arrived at, overseen by the High Negotiations Committee chief coordinator Dr Riad Hijab," a Jaish al-Islam statement released overnight said, adding that the talks had taken place in Doha.
Qatar has been a major sponsor of armed groups fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad in the five-year-long war.
