BEIRUT — Syria’s military on Monday declared that the week-long U.S.-Russian brokered ceasefire was over as the government and opposition traded accusations over mounting violations. The U.S. said it’s prepared to extend the fractured truce, and Russia — after blaming rebels for the violations — suggested it could still be salvaged. In the wake of the Syrian military declaration, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry expressed annoyance at Damascus and Moscow’s handling of the ceasefire. “I believe that the truce is clinically dead.”The Syrian military statement placed the blame on the rebel groups. Damascus refers to all armed opposition groups as terrorists.

Source: National Post September 19, 2016 20:06 UTC