A day after the United Nations Security Council supported a 30-day truce across Syria, Iran said pro-Damascus forces would press ahead with attacks on an insurgent enclave near the capital.

Ground fighting raged on in Eastern Ghouta yesterday. Rebels said they clashed with pro-government forces, as rescuers and residents said warplanes struck towns in the enclave.

Iranian General Mohammad Baqeri, whose government backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said Teheran and Damascus would respect the UN resolution. But the Iranian military chief of staff also said the truce did not cover parts of the Damascus suburbs "held by the terrorists".

The Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to demand the truce to allow for aid access and medical evacuations. In talks yesterday with Russia, France and Germany urged Russia to exert "maximum pressure" on Syria for the immediate implementation of the ceasefire, Berlin said.

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