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.

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.

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.

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

About 30,000 mostly Druze people are thought to be trapped inside the besieged city of Sweida and surrounding towns, with no electricity, little internet and dwindling supplies of food and water.

The Monsoon session of Parliament is scheduled to be held from July 21 to August 21, and the government is expected to bring 17 bills for introduction in both Houses.

Interior minister says truce aims to pave way for prisoner exchange, restore stability as US envoy urges sustained calm in southern Syria - Anadolu Ajansı

Hamas' armed wing spokesperson said on Friday that while the group favours reaching an interim truce in the Gaza war, if such an agreement is not reached in current negotiations it could revert to insisting on a full package deal to end the conflict.