Syria rebels 'would rather die in Aleppo than withdraw'

Rebels have said they are fighting a battle of life and death, rejecting any proposed evacuation of the war-torn city.

Spokesman for the Army of Mujahedeen rebel group, Amin Malhees, told The New Arab that withdrawal from the city was "unacceptable", adding that rebels could withstand the push by the "sectarian militias".

A high-ranking source within the rebels said that rebels have rejected a Russian-American peace initiative that would see "total rebel withdrawal from eastern Aleppo".

"We would rather die with dignity and honour in Aleppo than withdraw," the source said.

"If you really want to back us then supply us with anti-aircraft weapons, firearms and sufficient funds - not barely enough to keep us alive. We could take down the regime if we had proper support," he added.

Russia has said it would hold talks with Washington on Tuesday on a total rebel withdrawal from Syria's Aleppo.

President Bashar al-Assad's forces have seized two-thirds of the former rebel bastion in east Aleppo since they began an operation to recapture all of the battered second city in mid-November.

The assault has raised an international outcry, but Russia and China on Monday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a seven-day ceasefire in the city.

Tens of thousands of east Aleppo residents have fled to other parts of the city to escape the fighting, which has raised widespread international concern.

The rapid regime gains have left opposition fighters reeling and come ahead of talks in Geneva on Tuesday on a rebel evacuation.

"During the Russian-American consultations, the concrete route and timeframe for the withdrawal of all fighters from eastern Aleppo will be agreed upon," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier on Monday.

"As soon as these routes and timeframes are agreed on, a ceasefire can come into effect."