New Syrian Cease-Fire Starts Monday Sunset Local Time

(BEIRUT) — A cease-fire brokered by the United States and Russia is set to begin at sunset on Monday in Syria amid mixed messages of commitment from various rebel factions but with verbal backing by President Bashar Assad's government. In a stark message to opponents, Assad made a rare public appearance Monday by attending prayers for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha at a mosque in the Damascus suburb of Daraya.