Syria: government attacks positions on outskirts of capital
(Vatican Radio) Syrian fighter jets have bombarded eastern suburbs of the capital,
Damascus, activists say, continuing air raids despite an internationally brokered
ceasefire supposed to take hold two days ago. Warplanes reportedly hit the adjacent
suburbs where government forces are trying to root out rebels. Videos posted online
purporting to show the aftermath showed huge plumes of smoke billowing over rooftops.
Joint UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi had brokered a ceasefire that was to begin
on Friday, the first day of Eid al-Adha. Regime forces and the rebels had both agreed
to a call by Brahimi to lay down their arms for the four-day Muslim holiday, with
both reserving the right to respond to attacks. The opposition says an estimated 32,000
people have been killed since the uprising began in March last year. Hundreds of thousands
of people have fled to neighbouring countries. Listen to this report from regional
correspondent Nathan Morley: