US sceptical over Syrian peace pledge

The US has responded cautiously to Syria’s sudden acceptance of a United Nations peace plan, wary that president Bashar Assad’s regime may use its apparent willingness to compromise as cover to press on with a year-long political crackdown.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a guarded welcome to the Syrian government’s endorsement of the six-point plan that calls for an immediate ceasefire with rebels and an eventual democratic transition.