New attempt to end Syrian bloodshed brings optimism, doubt

(CNN) — After world leaders heralded a new plan over the weekend to end the crisis in Syria, the agreement between typically sparring countries netted both optimism and doubt.

But on the ground, violence reigned once again early Monday as “a state of terror” spread in suburban Damascus, opposition activists said.

Fresh mortar shelling fell near an elementary school in Madyara, the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria said.

The latest international plan for Syria, backed by Russia and China as well as the West, calls for a transitional government as a step toward ending