Ceasefire deal sealed for southern Damascus

CAIRO/BEIRUT – A ceasefire deal for a Syrian rebel-held pocket south of Damascus was reached on Thursday, brokered by Egypt and Russia, Egyptian state media said.

The ceasefire, which includes the Jaish al-Islam rebel faction, went into effect at midday on Thursday (1000 GMT), Egypt's state TV reported.

Rebels hold a small pocket of territory south of Damascus, bordered on the west by an enclave held by Islamic State.