Syria "rebels" pledge to keep fighting

Rebel groups in Syria have told the BBC they will not stop fighting because they do not believe that Russia will end its bombing campaign in support of the government.

They have expressed scepticism over a deal by world powers to push for a cessation of hostilities within a week.

They have also reiterated their demand that President Bashar al-Assad be removed from power.

Earlier the president said he wanted to retake "the whole country" from rebels.

Three Syrian rebel groups have expressed doubts to the BBC over the cessation of hostilities agreement:

    A spokesman for the Free Syrian Army said: "We remain sceptical all the time about the Russians."
    The conservative Ahrar al-Sham group said that it would not stop fighting until government shelling stopped, safe border crossings were opened for civilians, prisoners released and besieged areas relieved
    Faylaq al-Sham - part of a coalition of seven different groups operating in the north - said that it would not relinquish its weapons until President Assad was removed

Riad Hijab, co-ordinator of Syria's main opposition bloc, earlier told the BBC's Newsnight programme that to announce a cessation of hostilities before making progress in the political process "is not realistic, objective or logical".
 BBC
13/2/16
--
-
Related:

• Syria war: Powers agree on 'cessation of hostilities'

• Saudi FM says removal of Assad is vital

• Bashar al-Assad vows to retake whole country

• Philip Hammond: Russia must change for Syria ceasefire