The Vichy French made a vigorous defence of Syria; but, on 10 July, as the 21st Australian Brigade was on the verge of entering Beirut, the French sought an armistice. At one minute past midnight on 12 July, a ceasefire came into effect and ended the campaign. The Armistice of "Saint Jean d'Acre" (Convention of Acre) was signed on 14 July at the Sidney Smith Barracks on the outskirts of the city. "Time" magazine referred to the fighting as a "mixed show" while it was taking place and the campaign remains little known, even in the countries that took part. There is some evidence that the British censored reportage of the fighting because politicians believed that even highly-necessary hostilities against French forces could have a negative effect on public opinion in English-speaking countries.