general election. an exit poll suggests a tight race between and these are live pictures from tbilisi. further protest planned tonight across georgia, after govermnent suspended eu membership talks. and cate blanchett talks to at the bbc about her concerns on aland its role in the film industry. in syria, thousands of people are fleeing aleppo after islamist rebels took control of much of syria's second city for the first time since being forced out by government forces in 2016. rebel soldiers are patrolling the streets and in the past hour, france has urged all warring parties to protect

civilians in aleppo. there's also congestion on roads into the city, as former residents return after years of displacement. the rebels are said to have seized control of aleppo airport. this video — apparently filmed from a vehicle and posted on social media — shows armed men at the airport, but it has not been independently verified by the bbc. the rebels — seen celebrating at the city's ancient citadel — are said to have met little resistance, though the army says dozens of its soldiers have been killed or injured. warplanes belonging to russia — an ally of syria's president bashar al—assad — bombed rebel positions in the city centre in the early hours. a monitor of the conflict — the syrian observatory for human rights — says 16 civilians were killed in a strike which hit a roundabout. the rebels�* surprise offensive has made

rapid progress since it began on wednesday, capturing numerous towns and villages in hama and idlib provinces. the syrian military says troops have been temporarily withdrawn from aleppo "to prepare a counteroffensive". a reminder of the recent history of aleppo: the city was the scene of one of the bloodiest sieges of syria's civil war — which first broke out in 2011. this week's offensive is the largest against the syrian government in years. our correspondent, barbara plett usher, is monitoring developments from neighbouring lebanon. a stunning victory for the rebels — even they overcome with its swiftness and success. just three days after launching a surprise offensive from their stronghold in north—west syria. this is the most serious challenge to president assad in years. they stormed back into the city after assad's army forced them out at the height of the war. translation: after hard worki and patience from the fighters, the city of aleppo has been completely liberated. thank god. and by god's will, we will

reach horns and damascus too. the rebels are led by the islamist group hayat hayat tahrir al sham, or hts. it used to be linked to al-qaeda, but cut ties from the group years ago. hts is listed as a terrorist organisation by the us and others. it controls most of the north—western province of idlib, the last remaining opposition stronghold after more than a decade of civil war. that war began in 2011, triggered by popular protests against assad's rule. russia intervened in 2015, turning the tide against the advancing rebels. the battle for aleppo in 2016 was a crucial point. syrian and russian forces gained control after a gruelling siege. the war has mostly gone quiet since, with occasional eruptions, the last major one in 2020 when syria and its russian allies attacked idlib. now again russian warplanes are bombing aleppo, backing government forces trying

to drive the rebels out. the kremlin is assad's most important ally, but it's now also fighting a war in ukraine. iran and the lebanese hezbollah are also sending fighters to syria, but they have been weakened by israeli attacks in the region. that is one reason the rebels were able to advance quickly. there are fears now they may be reigniting the embers of the long—running civil war. barbara plett usher, bbc news, beirut. let's speak to our correspondent in beirut, lina sinjab. bring us up—to—date with where we are now. it’s bring us up-to-date with where we are nova— we are now. it's a fast developing... - we are now. it's a fast developing... in - we are now. it's a fast developing... in the i we are now. it's a fast l developing... in the city we are now. it's a fast - developing... in the city of aleppo and the area surrounding it. since the early hours of the morning the rebels are

advancing. and now they seem to be in full control of aleppo. there are some reports saying the syrian army have relocated and withdrew from aleppo and is also withdrawing from another city. the rebels have imposed a curfew starting 5pm local time until the next day. we are hearing some condemnation from iran about the consulate inside the city of aleppo, they said that the consulate came under attack. howeverall the that the consulate came under attack. however all the staff are safe so far. thousands of people are fleeing the city thatis people are fleeing the city that is now under rebel control. fearing the control by islamist rebels will have a different agenda than what the government would have maintained in aleppo. there are many questions about the timing of this operation, at a time when president assad's

loyalists are weakened in the region like hezbollah. let's speak to dr haid haid, who is a middle east consulting fellow at chatham house. welcome to bbc news. just in terms of this rebel group, outlined for us who are these people, because we know that they have had previous affiliation with organisations like al-qaeda._ like al-qaeda. you have different _ like al-qaeda. you have different groups - like al-qaeda. you have different groups who - like al-qaeda. you havei different groups who are fighting in syria... the biggest is this one that used to be affiliated with isis

since then the group has changed and cut ties with isis. they continue to fight against those groups... in addition to that you have different groups that you have different groups that are backed... most of them operate under the umbrella of the syrian... operate under the umbrella of the syrian. . ._ the syrian... what are your understanding _ the syrian... what are your understanding about - the syrian... what are your understanding about what. the syrian... what are your- understanding about what they are planning to do in controlling aleppo? figs are planning to do in controlling aleppo? as was mentioned _ controlling aleppo? as was mentioned earlier - controlling aleppo? as was mentioned earlier in - controlling aleppo? as was mentioned earlier in your. mentioned earlier in your report, they did not expect to be able to reach aleppo, let alone control it and i think what we are seeing right now

has changed their plan because they were not expecting to see they were not expecting to see the regime withdraw without resistance. they are changing their plan because of rapid advancements that they've been able to make. what comes next, and when they will be able to stop, i think that is still being determined by how quickly they are able to capture areas. but most likely they will have to do at some point... but this will again be determined by factors on the ground or political talks... factors on the ground or political talks. . .- factors on the ground or political talks. .. what does it mean that — political talks. .. what does it mean that we _ political talks. .. what does it mean that we now _ political talks. .. what does it mean that we now see - political talks. .. what does it i mean that we now see civilians who had formerly been displaced from aleppo by the assad regime coming back. they obviously feel confident enough to come back. what is it say about their feelings about the

rebels? a , their feelings about the rebels? , , ,. , rebels? many people describe their position _ rebels? many people describe their position towards - rebels? many people describe their position towards the - their position towards the different groups... they are happy because they are able to go back to their areas of origin and go and visit their homes. however i'm not sure that they have made plans to move back to those areas because, as i have mentioned, the situation is changing quickly and it's not quite clear if the opposition groups will be able to maintain control over the areas that they have been able to wind recently. it's really good to get your expertise in this thank you staying in the middle

east, world central kitchen says it is pausing its operations east, says it is - pausing its operations in gaza after a vehicle carrying its colleagues was hit by an deadly israeli air strike. images from the southern city of khan younis show the wreckage of a vehicle with its roof blown open. medics say nine people were killed when an israeli air strike targeted the vehicle near a gathering of palestinians receiving aid. the israeli army has confirmed targeting a car, saying it was carrying a person involved in the october 7th attacks. world central kitchen says it has no knowledge that any individual in the vehicle had alleged ties to the hamas attacks. seven members of its staff were killed in idf strikes on their convoy in gaza in april, in what the israeli military described as a "grave mistake". the charity said it was heartbroken by the killing of colleagues. this man, tamer samoor, saw the attack happen. translation: there was a convoy of cars. this vehicle was the last one. as it was passing was hit by a drone. other people went to hell but they were hit by a drone. —— a second

missile. vote counting in ireland's general election has begun, after an exit poll put the three main parties virtually neck and neck. a final result isn't expected until the end of the weekend. let's speak to our chief presenter caitriona perry, who's in dublin for us. indeed it is, but we have some breaking news in the last humanist the first seat has been field. that has gone to fine gael mp... wejust had those first few results in the first few minutes. that is the first few minutes. that is the first seat filled fine gael. fine gael, fianna fail and sinn fein all have those parties neck and neck in the opinion

polls. you might be able to see over my shoulder, and the deputy leader, who is first minister in northern ireland. havejust minister in northern ireland. have just arrived here to rapturous applause. we haven't had the results from dublin central, but based on tallies it does look like... the sitting mp is going to retain her seat. sitting mp is going to retain herseat. none sitting mp is going to retain her seat. none of those three bigger parties are going to have enough candidates themselves to form a majority government so we are going to have a multiparty coalition is. one of the smaller parties that will be in contention, will be the social democrats. yeah. we're delighted with the election results so far. it looks like we're

going to double our vote compared to the last general election, and there's a good chance we'll emerge as the fourth largest party after these votes. we're in play to gain a number of new seats in constituencies across the country. and we're really delighted with the support that we've received from people throughout this campaign. what do you think it was about your candidates or your messaging that seems to have resonated with voters? yeah, we're very happy that we're very strong candidates and very strong ground campaigns, but also that our national campaign are focussed on putting forward solutions in housing and healthcare and childcare and disability services and climate action, that that really resonated with voters. and we're really delighted that people responded to the positive campaign that we ran. when it comes to the complicated business of forming a government, then who would you be prepared to go in with or not? well, we've said throughout the election campaign is that we will talk to all parties after the election counts are over. we don't know at this stage what the different possible combinations are going to be, but we are certainly going to talk to all different parties and see what can be done

to advance the policies that we've put forward during this election campaign. the deputy leader of the social democrats, one of those smaller parties that hope to have a very successful election. i'm joined now by our dublin reporter. we don't have any hard results but from the tallies what can we tell... we know that _ tallies what can we tell... we know that it _ tallies what can we tell... we know that it is _ tallies what can we tell... we know that it is going to be a tight— know that it is going to be a tight race. we know that fianna fail are — tight race. we know that fianna fail are likely to come out on top with_ fail are likely to come out on top with the most seats closely followed by sinn fein who were lagging — followed by sinn fein who were lagging but have pulled it back at the — lagging but have pulled it back at the end of the campaign. no bil at the end of the campaign. no big surprises apart from the possible _ big surprises apart from the possible election wipe—out of

the green party. in a time when everyone — the green party. in a time when everyone is_ the green party. in a time when everyone is talking about climate, we could see the entire _ climate, we could see the entire green party wiped out in ireiand~ — entire green party wiped out in ireland. they are also coalition partners with the coalition partners with the coalition government, so what is likeiy— coalition government, so what is likely to _ coalition government, so what is likely to happen, the talk here — is likely to happen, the talk here is, _ is likely to happen, the talk here is, that will see the same government again with fianna fail and — government again with fianna fail and fine gael and those smaller— fail and fine gael and those smaller parties like the social democrats, that are centre—left, they could be cold upon _ centre—left, they could be cold upon if— centre—left, they could be cold upon if they wished to go into government with fianna fail and fine gaeh — government with fianna fail and fine gael. ~ fine gael. the... will the numbers _ fine gael. the... will the numbers stack _ fine gael. the... will the numbers stack up - fine gael. the... will the numbers stack up if - fine gael. the... will the numbers stack up if we . fine gael. the... will the i numbers stack up if we can fine gael. the... will the - numbers stack up if we can tell that? ., ., , ,._ , that? no one is saying it is impossible. _ that? no one is saying it is impossible. we _ that? no one is saying it is impossible. we could -

that? no one is saying it is impossible. we could see. that? no one is saying it is i impossible. we could see the likes— impossible. we could see the likes of— impossible. we could see the likes of sinn fein going in with— likes of sinn fein going in with the _ likes of sinn fein going in with the labour party and the social— with the labour party and the social democrats... there would be a _ social democrats... there would be a lot — social democrats... there would be a lot of— social democrats... there would be a lot of payers before but it could _ be a lot of payers before but it could be done. it doesn't matter— it could be done. it doesn't matter how many seats you get at this _ matter how many seats you get at this stage, forming a in the government is another thing. it government is another thing. [it would government is another thing. would be government is another thing. it would be quite remarkable to have sinn fein in power in the republic, and also holding the office of first minister in northern ireland. it office of first minister in northern ireland. it shows you 'ust how northern ireland. it shows you just how far— northern ireland. it shows you just how far they _ northern ireland. it shows you just how far they have - northern ireland. it shows you just how far they have come. i just how far they have come. they— just how far they have come. they did _ just how far they have come. they did start as the political wind — they did start as the political wind of— they did start as the political wind of the ira. sinn fein in the very— wind of the ira. sinn fein in the very start of their party were — the very start of their party were so— the very start of their party were so and thai government they— were so and thai government they were _ were so and thai government they were and highjoining coalitions, they did not sit fora — coalitions, they did not sit fora very— coalitions, they did not sit for a very long time. they completely but that in recent

years. — completely but that in recent years. it _ completely but that in recent years, it is a rebranded sinn fein — years, it is a rebranded sinn fein they— years, it is a rebranded sinn fein. they are a rebranded, attractive _ fein. they are a rebranded, attractive party to young people. they always talk about young — people. they always talk about young families —— back working families — young families —— back working families. no one has ruled out so far~ — families. no one has ruled out so far. ., , ., ., so far. housing one of the ma'or so far. housing one of the major issues _ so far. housing one of the major issues in _ so far. housing one of the major issues in this - so far. housing one of the . major issues in this campaign which successive governments have failed to get a handle on. we will have plenty more from dublin as these results come through. that first seat going to fianna fail. thank you for breaking the news for us. some mps who backed the bill on assisted dying say they would want to see changes before they could guarantee to give it final approval. yesterday the house of commons voted in favour of a proposed law that would allow terminally ill adults in england and wales to take their lives with the help of a doctor.

but the bill has many parliamentary hurdles to overcome before it could become law. let's speak to doctor suzanne kite — the vice president of the association for palliative medicine. when it comes to your association, what stance did you take when it comes to this very difficult conversation, especially very poignant and moving debate yesterday in the commons? it moving debate yesterday in the commons?— moving debate yesterday in the commons? . , ., , ., commons? it was a very moving debate and — commons? it was a very moving debate and it — commons? it was a very moving debate and it did _ commons? it was a very moving debate and it did receive - commons? it was a very moving debate and it did receive the - debate and it did receive the respect and to sincerity it deserved. the association of palliative medicine represents over 1400 professionals in uk and ireland. they represent the entire spectrum of views. the vast majority are opposed to the law on a variety of grounds. that is the stance that the apm takes. largely on

grounds of safety, equity, and trust. we will continue to make representation to the mps as the conversation evolves. when it comes to _ the conversation evolves. when it comes to the _ the conversation evolves. when it comes to the concerns - the conversation evolves. when it comes to the concerns that i it comes to the concerns that the people you represent have, what is it specifically? safeguarding? i what is it specifically? safeguarding?- what is it specifically? safeguarding? what is it specifically? safe . uardin: ? ~ ., , safeguarding? i think that this bill has been _ safeguarding? i think that this bill has been very _ safeguarding? i think that this bill has been very rushed, - safeguarding? i think that this bill has been very rushed, and j bill has been very rushed, and i think the mps have had a massivejob to get i think the mps have had a massive job to get up to speed. i think the debate yesterday showed that they are beginning to grasp the complexities, but they don't really understand they don't really understand the realities of palliative care. how its practice, what is available. we have a number of concerns. the bill in its current form doesn't really resonate with the services that we have in the uk either in health care all the judiciary. many many concerns. the

safeguarding of vulnerable people, the people we see towards the end of their lives are very vulnerable. our capacity can vary very widely. how do we protect the vulnerable. there's expectation may be, that there is a fear is that we are overdoing this that families are not coercive. but there is social coercion that people feel they shouldn't be taking services. the capacity safeguards might thing our judges will run with that, there are huge concerns around that. and then there's the funding issue. currently we do not have well funded palliative care, we are not being able to reach out mac of the 5000 people who die every year in this country many are not receiving the palliative care

that they need. palliative care is notjust about hospices it's about gps, social care, carers. all of them are highly stretched at the moment. the national insurance hikes last month could cost a 20 bedded hospice unit about £350,000 that they have to do find on top of everything else. that's a lot of cake sales, it's a lot of parachute jumps, palliative care is not funded on the nhs currently, i think this bill is hoping that it will be. apologies because we are running short on time. is there scope... there were hopes that this would not be an either or conversation... is there scope

that this will increase the conversation about palliative care and increase the funding? it certainly raise the profile of palliative care. we know that wes streeting and the justice minister did not vote this bill because they are genuinely concerned about the deliverability. we would call on wes streeting who said he wasn't voting for it because palliative care wasn't good enough, to fix it. let's have a conversation and sort this out. thank you very much for speaking to us. much more of course on oui’ more of course on our website on that story. georgian police have used water cannon and tear gas against demonstrators who turned out in their thousands near the parliament building in tbilisi

police say 107 people have been arrested. georgia's pro—western president salome zourabichvili, who's at loggerheads with the ruling party, said in a televised address that the "resistance movement" had begun, and she stood by it. the protests were sparked by the georgian dream party's decision to put off accession talks with the european union until 2028. our correspondent reyhan demytrie has as... as we understand that has been granted to them and they are supposed to be appearing on air. but the latest information

that i got before coming on air was that they were debating with the leadership of the public broadcaster how many people can be allowed to go on air. and just before entering the building some of the public figures, they stated that the reason they are doing so, is the public broadcaster is the mouthpiece of the ruling party, and it is spreading russian propaganda and it should return to its mission which is serving the interest of georgian people. we have seen a similar situation happening in the second city of georgia. protesters there also demanded airtime from the public broadcaster there in georgia. there are rallies across the country in smaller regions, which is quite significant because in the region is people don't tend to protest. and of course we've seen people back on the streets here in tbilisi,

the focal point of this ongoing crisis which is outside the parliament.— crisis which is outside the parliament. m ., , parliament. much more coming up soon. we parliament. much more coming up soon- we are _ parliament. much more coming up soon. we are monitoring - parliament. much more coming up soon. we are monitoring the - soon. we are monitoring the breaking news as those demonstrators continue to be out for the second night but the president saying she intends to remain in position. don't go away. the me much more on bbc news. hello, there. well, it's turned milder over the last 2a hours or so. plenty of cloud, along with that mild feeling air. misty murky conditions, with some patchy light rain and drizzle, particularly for western hills, here is lancashire underneath the cloud. best of the breaks in the cloud and sunshine to the north east of higher ground, such as here in aberdeenshire, of course for st andrew's day. tomorrow, we will be keeping the mild air. there will be some showers. some of those showers possibly heavy, especially towards the west, but also some spells of brightness

and sunshine. this weather front gradually approaching from the west. we are keeping the strength of that southerly to south—westerly wind as we head through this evening and overnight. it will feel brisk at times through these irish sea coasts. bands of rain tracking eastwards, plenty of cloud around, some clearer spells developing across parts of western scotland into northern ireland, but temperatures do remain in double figures to start off the day tomorrow, so it's a mild start to the day for this time of year. and then into tomorrow morning itself, these bands of rain and showers keep tracking further eastwards, there will always be a lot of cloud across parts of east anglia for much of the day but some brighter skies developing for central western areas, another rash of showers, some of which could turn out to be heavy, across northern ireland, towards the far west and across western scotland later on through the day. but it does stay mild, temperatures again above the seasonal average. but just look at what happens on sunday night into monday. so our fronts clear eastwards and then we start to draw down more of the northerly wind and that will push down colder air from the arctic and we are all into that colder

air by the time we get to monday night and into tuesday so there will be a widespread frost as we start off tuesday morning. let's look at monday, you will notice the cold conditions out towards the north and the west, a few wintry showers across the higher ground of scotland in particular, as that front gradually tracks its way further southwards, bringing cloud and some outbreaks of rain with it, but it will brighten up behind the front and you notice a clear contrast between colder air in the north and still that milder air hanging on for a time further south. so, widespread frost as we start tuesday morning, then we look out towards the atlantic, this band of rain, as it bumps into the colderair across the higher ground of the north in particular, is likely to turn to snow. for some we're staying in that colder air on tuesday. it will turn milder again later on through the week. bye— bye.

this is bbc news, the headlines. russian and syrian jets have bombed islamist rebels, after they seized most of syria's second city aleppo. it comes after the insurgents continued their surprise four—day offensive, meeting very little resistance from syria's military. world central kitchen says it is pausing operations in gaza after a vehicle carrying its colleagues was hit by an israeli airstrike. the charity says it has no knowledge that any individual in the vehicle had alleged ties

to the october 7th attacks. counting is under way in ireland's general election, with an exit poll suggesting a tight race between the three main parties. further protest continue in georgia, after the government suspended eu membership talks. georgia's prime minister says the state will not allow revolution. world best pa rt world best part years in a row. now it's time for a look at today's sport. hello from the bbc sport centre. we've had four results so far in the premier league, yesterday leicester named ruud van nistelrooy as their new head coach. today he was in the stands at brentford watching his new side lose 4—1. they actually took the lead but were 3—1 down by halftime and kevin schade completed his hattrick in the second half. that moves ther b's up to 7th, only two points off the top 1l

leicester remain1 point above the reelagtion zone, van nistelrooy�*s first match in the dugour will be at home to west ham on tuesday night. premier league history at molineux, but not for wolves. bournemouths patrick kluivert is the first player to score a hatrick of penalties. there were 4 goals in the first 18 minutes as the cherries eventually ran out 4—2 winners. eventually ran out 4—2 winners. daniel munoz scored a 94th daniel munoz scored a 94th minute equaliser for crystal minute equaliser for crystal palace at home palace at home to newcastle united. to newcastle united. the eagles had been trailing the eagles had been trailing from the 53rd minute from the 53rd minute when marc guehi scored when marc guehi scored an own goal but the 1—all draw an own goal but the 1—all draw sees them climnb out sees them climnb out of the releagtion zone of the releagtion zone on goal difference. on goal difference. newcastle remain in tenth. newcastle remain in tenth. nottingham forest are up nottingham forest are up to sixth in the table, of minutes gone at the london to sixth in the table, they edged past ipswich they edged past ipswich 1—nil at home. 1—nil at home. chris wood with the winner chris wood with the winner from the spot early from the spot early in the second half. in the second half. ipswich remain ipswich remain in the bottom three. in the bottom three. couple in the bottom three. minutes and at the couple in the bottom three. minutes and at the london couple minutes and at the london couple minutes and at the london stadium. london stadium. arsenal will move up to second arsenal will move up to second in the table if they win in the table if they win

at west ham, just a couple at west ham, just a couple of minutes gone at the london stadium. current goalless. over 80,000 are at wembley for a high profile friendly between the england lionesses and emma hayes olympic champions the usa, there'sjust over 10 minutes played.

while sergio perez was last. qualifying for sunday's race starts shortly. england's cricketers are closing in on victory in the first test against new zealand in christchurch. the tourists had built a first—innings lead of 151 with harry brook reaching 171 and ben stokes 80, and then reduceding new zealand to 64—3 before kane williamson launched a rescue act with a half century, 2 wickets in 2 balls for chris woakes broke the resistance and the hosts are just 4 runs ahead with four wickets in hand. england should wrap up the win on day four barring some extaraordinary resistance from the kiwis. big partnership tomorrow morning, getting to the work early. especially now that the balls got a little bit softer. i think it showing here that the new ball is really dangerous. once it does flameout you could put the balls under some pressure

hopefully it to build on that lead and bowl four in the last over. lead and bowl four in the last over. south africa have thumped sri lanka by 233 runs to win the first test in durban. they had set the tourists 516 to win — player of the match marco yansen, who took 7 wickets in the first innings bowling sri lanka out for a record low 42 runs, took four more as they were dismissed for 282 in their second, the second test starts on thursday. still goalless at the london stadium between west ham and arsenal. sportsday is coming up at half past six if you watching in the uk. see you then. in syria, islamist rebels are reported to be in control of much of the city of aleppo, for the first time since being forced out by government troops in 2016. rebel soldiers are patrolling the streets and there are reports of queues of cars clogging the roads out of aleppo as civilians flee.

they're also said to have seized control of aleppo airport. earlier, i spoke to fuad sayed issa, the founder of violet, a humantarian organization providing relief to communities in northwest syria, including areas of aleppo, where rebel fighters have been active. he told me what his teams have been seeing on the ground. the team justjoined the city today morning as like the many like conflicts stopped in aleppo and the rebels, i mean get acted to control all of aleppo city or the most parts of aleppo city. and why the team joined because many attacks happened in this morning on the city from russian and syrian aircraft. and our emergencies and first responders team were in aleppo to help the people, as also they are trying to provide the most emergency and needed staffs as like the food, the water and the bread for the people who were stuck

for three days without getting out of houses, without getting any kind of help. and now we're now in a very like sensitive time to work together as a humanitarian teams to help those millions of people in the city of aleppo, and also the people who's moving around the city. help us to understand what's your understanding when the residents of aleppo, obviously they're in an incredibly difficult position, especially now, but with these rebels, are they happy to see them come to aleppo? there is like i mean, two parts. and from the people, the most of aleppo's people displaced in 2016 and 17 to the northwest, where the syrian—turkish border. and they are all happy because they are getting back to their houses as they were like just firing from assad and assad regime. so they were just...

just to clarify. so they had been displaced that they were not able to get back into aleppo, but they now can because the rebels are controlling it. that's exactly what's happening. and the other side is there is like around a million also in the city of aleppo. they are now also trying to get back to the normal life in these days. and the humanitarian relief and humanitarian teams are trying to help those people because there is no government any more in the city. and then the services need to be run by the organisation and the humanitarian teams that are doing the work in northwest before, i mean, getting to aleppo. and that's of course, teams such as yours, with violet coming in and just helping people who are within aleppo. when it comes to this rebel group. just help us to understand what kind of parts are they made up with, because of course, it's never clear cut, is it? i mean, there is many groups whojoined this, war to today, and i think that they now are getting the control on the most of the city. we got a photo from aleppo castle from many areas

today, from our team where they were helping the people and how the things going in the ground, the attacks happening today is putting us in a risk of having a million of people displaced from the city. then we have a deadline to stop the the aircraft of russia and syria bombing the city. and this is the only way to have those million in their city and the people who's coming back to the city. otherwise we will have kind of like a big earthquake of displacement again. and millions will be getting to europe and also to turkey and to the other parts of like the world, if the rebels and also, i mean, if the bombing and shelling continue in the city of aleppo. the founder of the charity violet with me. with me is mahmoud ali hamad from bbc arabic. i need to start with how

surprising it was to see these rebels get into aleppo and take it over. ~ ,,., , rebels get into aleppo and take itover. , �*, it over. absolutely. it's actually _ it over. absolutely. it's actually unfolded - it over. absolutely. it's actually unfolded after| it over. absolutely. it's - actually unfolded after two days from those militants reaching the city people still don't believe that aleppo is about to follow has already fallen. at least the majority of it has fallen into the hands of it has fallen into the hands of those militant groups who have been trying to keep in the arena fighting but they've been in a bad situation. what has happened since wednesday has shown that the regime, the syrian government has no control over the city, can't protect the city or civilians. now we're seeing footage and talking to a localjournalist and residents and they've been telling us about seeing police headquarters empty. the prison, which has been stormed by those

militant groups and prisoners have been freed. they have seen no sign of any official or government presence. it seems now that the syrian government, the syrian army has left aleppo and its residents to their fate, whatever that may be. that is the situation in aleppo. there is a total absence of any authority. even the iranian militia his brother, has stations and centers of control had been abandoned. we're talking here about a total collapse of the military force that have sustained aleppo since 2016, since the russians were able to bring back aleppo into government control. bring back aleppo into covernment control. , government control. these were areas where _ government control. these were areas where arguably _ government control. these were areas where arguably a - government control. these were areas where arguably a his - areas where arguably a his brother presents. in terms of timing, help us understand why

these rebels are doing this now giving the situation in lebanon.— giving the situation in lebanon. 3 , ., ., , lebanon. it's understandable, ou can lebanon. it's understandable, you can hardly _ lebanon. it's understandable, you can hardly look— lebanon. it's understandable, you can hardly look at - lebanon. it's understandable, you can hardly look at what i lebanon. it's understandable, you can hardly look at what is| you can hardly look at what is happening in aleppo without linking it what to what has happened in lebanon. you can argue the priority for his brother was was helping back home in lebanon for the aleppo for them was not something they would like to engage in. they have pulled out from the city. there is a common belief amongst syrians in general that the regime on its own without iranian or russian help can't really keep control of the city. and this is transpired in the last 48 hours. absolutely fascinating. _ the last 48 hours. absolutely fascinating. thank _ the last 48 hours. absolutely fascinating. thank you - the last 48 hours. absolutely fascinating. thank you very l fascinating. thank you very much for talking us through that for that we have much more on our website as well. it is a fast developing situation in syria. we go back to ireland because counting is under way

entirely general election for the exit polls show sinn fein the exit polls show sinn fein the pro—unification party now has a narrow lead however the party may struggle to form a government. let's crossover live to dublin. katrina perryjoins us live now. katrina perry “oins us live now. ~ ., , now. welcome back to the rdf for the accounting is _ now. welcome back to the rdf for the accounting is under - now. welcome back to the rdf for the accounting is under way for the accounting is under way for most top constituencies for the arm joined here by the leader of sinn fein. it looks like a great day for your party for that we don't have firm results yet but based on the exit polls and the tallies must be feeling very happy. hater? be feeling very happy. very leased be feeling very happy. very pleased with _ be feeling very happy. very pleased with the _ be feeling very happy. very pleased with the second . pleased with the second election in a rollover that we're _ election in a rollover that we're receiving what is the game _ we're receiving what is the game changing and historic mandate from the people. we're very pleased with that it's been _ very pleased with that it's been an— very pleased with that it's been an interesting campaign for the — been an interesting campaign for the winter election is different. but big issues across— different. but big issues across irish society that need to be — across irish society that need to be tackled in a big question

around — to be tackled in a big question around what does government formation look like those that were — formation look like those that were still in the throes of the voting. — were still in the throes of the voting, accounting, seats will be allocated it looks like it could _ be allocated it looks like it could be close enough between the three larger parties. and then— the three larger parties. and then we're going to... there's a lot— then we're going to... there's a lot of— then we're going to... there's a lot of conversations i will have — a lot of conversations i will have to _ a lot of conversations i will have to be had across parties. on that— have to be had across parties. on that point do you think you will be in a position to form a government?— will be in a position to form a covernment? ~ ., ., ., government? well, our mandate is to deliver _ government? well, our mandate is to deliver change. _ government? well, our mandate is to deliver change. i _ government? well, our mandate is to deliver change. i said - is to deliver change. i said consistently as you know throughout the election that the idea of another five years of fallen— the idea of another five years of fallen for miguel is in very dry very— of fallen for miguel is in very dry very bad news for irish society _ dry very bad news for irish society i_ dry very bad news for irish society. i will do everything i can to — society. i will do everything i can to explore all of 3067 00:43:46,5