Syrian Army Agrees to Holiday Truce

The Syrian military says it will cease military operations for four days starting tomorrow in observance of a major Muslim holiday. In the announcement read on state TV today, however, the army said it would still respond to gunfire or roadside bombs and keep rebels from bolstering their positions or getting supplies. The international envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, proposed the four-day ceasefire for Eid al-Adha, saying it could lead to a longer truce and political negotiations between the sides.

Rebel forces have dismissed the idea, saying they don't trust the regime of President Bashar Assad to stick to its promises. Both sides have violated previous ceasefires after agreeing to them. (More Syria stories.)