Kofi Annan's Syria Ceasefire Shaky as 15 Deaths and Roadside Bombing Reported

A fragile ceasefire in Syria is showing signs of crumbling as activists report eight deaths across the country and a government official said a road bomb in Aleppo had killed one person.

UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan said he was "encouraged" by reports that the "cessation of hostilities appears to be holding".

Annan insisted calm must be sustained and added: "All parties have obligations to implement fully the six-point plan. This includes both the military provisions of the plan and the commitment to move to a political process. I urge all Syrian to seize this opportunity."

According to Annan, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be asking the security council for approval of the deployment of a UN observer mission as soon as possible.

Annan and his team are now set to push for dialogue between the regime and opposition groups.

Observers remain sceptical the bloodshed will stop for long, as the regime continues to blame the violence on "armed terrorist groups".

Syrian foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi said ahead of the deadline: "Forty percent of the keys to solve the crisis is in our hands as government but the other 60 percent is in the hands of those who are harbouring, channelling weapons, instigating in the media, against Syria."

More Violence and Deaths

Despite relative calm, activists reported at least 15 deaths across the country and said violations of the ceasefire took place in several places, including Idlib, Homs and Daraa.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also said the army raided the villages of Kabbaneh, Akko, and Duweir al-Karrad.

They have also warned Syrian troops are still stationed in city centres with tanks and heavy weapons, as well as that tanks had entered the city of Hama.

Syrian state TV said a bus carrying members of the security forces was targeted by a road bomb in Aleppo, killing one person and injuring 24.

The report blamed "an armed terrorist group" and said the bus was carrying a number of officers and non-commissioned officers who were going to work.

Sana, the state news agency, also reported that "another terrorist group" had targeted a "law-enforcement vehicle with an explosive device at Wadi Haj Khaled region in Idlib".

Syrians Return to the Streets

Following the ceasefire, Syrian National Council chairman Burhan Ghalioun called on people to return to the streets and continue their protests.

"Go into the streets and demonstrate in a peaceful manner across Syria due to the ceasefire in effect since 6am this morning.

''The right to demonstrate in a peaceful manner is the main point of the plan," Ghalioun added.

Syrians responded to his call and videos posted online show small demonstrations in Damascus and Aleppo and Hom.