The Druze spiritual leadership in Syria were at the heart of a negotiated ceasefire agreement, which permits Druze civilians living in and around Suweida city, to leave on safe routes and ensures government security forces prevent Bedouin fighters from entering the area.

U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack says that Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire following Israel’s intervention this week in fighting between Syrian government forces and .

Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels on Saturday signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end decades-long fighting in eastern Congo that commits them to a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement to be signed in one month.

By Laila Bassam DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Sectarian clashes escalated in Syria's predominantly Druze region of Sweida on Saturday, with machinegun fire and mortar shelling ringing out after days of bloodshed as the Islamist-led government struggled to implement a ceasefire.

A U.S.-backed ceasefire appeared to be holding in Syria on Sunday, after deadly violence rocked the region, when hundreds of people were killed in the city of Suwayda. The violence marks the biggest challenge yet to the new government in Damascus that toppled Bashar al-Assad in December.

Istanbul is once again poised to become a center of global diplomacy this week. On Friday, the city will host negotiations on Iran's nuclear program involving the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty calls for urgent access to aid and outlines reconstruction plans amid negotiations in Doha - Anadolu Ajansı