The UN said the Syrian conflict has now claimed over 100,000 lives, and US Secretary of State Kerry said there is no military solution to the conflict. Rebels disillusioned by infighting with Islamist fighters are said to have begun accepting reconciliation offers from the Assad regime. A car bomb blamed on “terrorists” exploded in Reef Damashq, killing at least 17 people and wounding many more. The Syrian National Council plans to meet in Istanbul in early August to try to form a provisional government.
