In the last nine days , 697 people have been killed in the fighting , activists said . Kerry says he 's confident Syrian opposition will attend Paris talks . U.N humanitarian chief in Damascus , expresses support for displaced persons . Activists say 697 people died in two days of rebel fighting . Al Qaeda - linked rebel forces battling Free Syrian Army fighters , other factions .
Kerry says he 's confident Syrian opposition will attend Paris talks . U.N humanitarian chief in Damascus , expresses support for displaced persons . Activists say 697 people died in two days of rebel fighting . Al Qaeda - linked rebel forces battling Free Syrian Army fighters , other factions .