The interim government in Damascus will take part on Monday in a conference to gather aid pledges for Syria, facing the prospect of diminishing assistance as it struggles with humanitarian and security problems after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Germany on Monday kicked off a new pledging round of aid for Syria, as the EU hosts a donor drive for the war-torn country after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. The EU has held its annual donor drive for Syria for the past eight years -- but it mainly focused on supporting refugees in neighbouring countries and avoided any contacts with the Assad regime.

Rescuers searched through debris and recovered 16 bodies, including five women and five children, and reported that 18 others were injured.