Syria: Fragile truce holds in Deraa as peace talks resume

Talks to finalise a deal between the Syrian government and rebels in Deraa province have repeatedly faltered.

A precarious ceasefire held in the city of Deraa on Monday after negotiators for rebel forces and the Syrian government tried to close to a comprehensive peace agreement to end a three-month siege. The tense negotiations to finalise the deal came after new government demands to deploy nine military checkpoints in Deraa, for the fighters to hand over more weapons, and to allow government forces to search the city for wanted people. The agreement had collapsed on Friday over the new demands, and the city of Deraa was subjected to large-scale government shelling from Saturday night until Sunday afternoon, killing three people.