Russia and US 'redouble efforts' as truce extended

Government forces and rebels in the Syrian battleground city of Aleppo agreed to extend their truce for a second time on Tuesday, the army said, as the United States and Russia vowed to "redouble" efforts to end the five-year conflict.

The cessation of hostilities was initially to last for two days but was later extended until Tuesday at 00:01 am.

The rebels had yet to confirm the extension of the truce, which was decided after nearly 300 people were killed in fighting in Syria's largest city since late April.