Nusra Front leader rejects Syria truce

BEIRUT (AP) – The leader of al-Qaida’s branch in Syria has rejected a U.S.-Russian sponsored truce, saying the real negotiations are on the battlefield.

Russia and the United States brokered the cease-fire, which does not include the Islamic State group or the Nusra Front, al-Qaida’s branch in Syria.

The truce will go into effect at midnight Friday and some 97 rebel groups have said they will abide by it.

In an audio message posted online Friday, al-Golani said “be careful of the betrayal of the West and America, be careful of the betrayal of Rafida and Alawites.” Golani used a derogatory term to refer to Shiite Muslims.

“The truce will lead to a political solution which keeps the security and military institutions in mandate of criminality and killings,” he warned.