video transcript

Syria's embattled President Bashar al-Assad attends Eid al-Adha prayers. Friday marked the beginning of a temporary ceasefire during the holiday, brokered by the U.N. and Arab League. Rebel groups like the Syrian Free Army gave qualified backing to the truce, which ends Monday, but also demanded the release of detainees. Ansar al-Islam, another rebel faction, said it may uphold the ceasefire if the army comes through on promises of peace. International aid organisations plan to use the break in fighting to get supplies to residents besieged by violence. Some are sceptical the truce will last after 19 months of violence. On Thursday, rebels surrounded the strategic border town of Harem in an attempt to increase their controlled territory along the Turkish border. Activists say around 32,000 people have died in the conflict so far.