The Syrian government issued a statement today that it will abide by a cease-fire to begin tomorrow at 6 AM Syria time . . . however, the government added a caveat that “our armed forces are ready to repulse any aggression carried out by the armed terrorist groups against civilians or troops” . . . government violence continued in Syria today, with shelling reported against the town of Homs . . . former UN Secretary General Annan traveled to Iran today to ask for its help in convincing Syria, Tehran’s close ally, to abide by the peace plan and cease-fire . . . Syrian government cooperation with the cease-fire at this point looks unlikely . . . the government’s statement that it remains prepared to respond to rebels attacks is likely an excuse to continue the fighting . . . Iran is unlikely to render any assistance to Annan because of its close ties to President Assad and the fear by Iranian leaders that a successful overthrow of Assad could inspire the heavily repressed Iranian opposition.