Violence continues in Syria despite an informal agreement for a four-day holiday ceasefire. Clashes erupted between government forces and rebel fighters earlier today near a northern military base. A number of anti-regime protests have been held across Syria, with troops firing tear gas and live rounds to disperse demonstrators in several areas. On Thursday, a spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the ceasefire marked a critical juncture for the Syrian conflict.

Martin Nesirky: “The secretary-general welcomes the reported announcements about a suspension of violence during the Eid holiday. Obviously, the world is now watching to see what will happen on Friday morning. It’s in everybody’s interest, not least the long-suffering Syrian people, that the guns fall silent tomorrow morning for the Eid holiday.”