Shaky Syrian truce appears intact

BEIRUT - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Monday that a shaky cease-fire in Syria was holding "by and large" on its third day despite sporadic fighting and growing accusations of violations.

A war of words between the Syrian government and Saudi Arabia, a key backer of the opposition, has meanwhile added to the rising tensions.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said recent statements by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir were "lies meant to boost the morale" of militants who have suffered setbacks in Syria in recent weeks and demonstrate the kingdom's "destructive role" in Syria.

Jubeir had reiterated Saudi Arabia's long-standing position that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must leave power, either peacefully or through military means. The foreign minister also accused Syrian forces of violating the cease-fire.

Speaking to reporters Monday in Geneva, Ban confirmed receiving a letter from the High Negotiations Committee, the main umbrella opposition group, complaining of continuing violations by the Syrian government and its Russian and Iranian backers.

The letter sent Sunday urged the U.N. to help "specify the territory covered by the truce to prevent hostilities."

The Russian and U.S.-brokered cease-fire that went into effect Saturday excludes the Islamic State as well as al-Qaeda's branch in Syria, the Nusra Front. The cease-fire has significantly reduced violence across the war-ravaged country, bringing some respite to civilians, particularly from air strikes.

But accusations of breaches by both sides threaten to undermine the deal, which aims to bring the Syrian government and the opposition back to peace talks in Geneva next week. Ban told reporters he wanted the cease-fire extended beyond the planned duration of two weeks.

The U.N. also said it plans to deliver lifesaving humanitarian assistance to about 154,000 people living in besieged locations inside Syria over the next five days. A briefing note sent out by OCHA on Monday said the assistance will include food, water and sanitation supplies, as well as nonfood items and medicine.