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DAMASCUS: A ceasefire inSyria came into effect at6:00 am (0300 GMT) in line with an ultimatum set by UN/Arab League envoy Kofi Annan aimed at ending violence that has killed thousands over more than a year.
The Syrian regime, which has carried out bloody repression of protesters, promised it would end its military operations Thursday morning but warned its forces would reply to any "terrorist" attack, a reference to the rebels who have said they would respect the ultimatum ifDamascusdid so.