The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said it has been given "positive indications" from Russia that it will help them secure more access for humanitarian aid for Syrian civilians.ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger met Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Monday.
ICRC spokeswoman Carla Haddad Mardini said the organisation "received positive indications of support on its operational priorities and on its initiative of a two-hour cessation in fighting on a daily basis".
The Red Cross has yet to receive permission from Syria to access all parts of the country affected by fighting. Damascus has also yet to agree to a daily two-hour cease-fire requested by the group.
Russia is one of President Bashar al Assad's few remaining allies and is seen as retaining some leverage on the Damascus government.
Earlier, heavy machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades have been heard in Damascus as fighting broke out in a district where a number of security buildings are located, witnesses say.
Residents said the two-hour battle, apparently between security forces loyal to President Assad and opposition fighters, was intense. Read More
