The opposition meetings in Istanbul come two days after a top military defector said armed rebel groups have aligned under the leadership of the Free Syrian Army.

CNN: Annan says Syrian crisis can't 'drag on indefinitely'

Our correspondent says the number of confrontations between the armed forces and the rebel groups, which the authorities call "narco-terrorists", is increasing.

BBC: Peru rebels launch deadly ambush

It's not confined to a state's armed forces or to rebel groups.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

There are reports that groups of heavily armed rebel soldiers in Chad are closing in on the nation's capital N'Djamena.

NPR: Chad's Capital Tense with Reports of Nearing Rebels

As JEM is the most heavily armed and organised of the numerous Darfur rebel groups, their declaration of a ceasefire can only be good new for the region.

ECONOMIST: A peace deal could help Darfur

Mr. BABA GANA KINGIBE (A.U. Ambassador): Every one of the rebel groups in Darfur are better armed and logistically better supported than the African Union troops.

NPR: African Union Darfur Forces Look to UN for Help

"Rebel groups from neighboring states, flush with money and armed with sophisticated weapons and communications are involved in the crime, " he said.

WSJ: Armed Guards, Drones to Protect India's Rhinos