Russia announces nationwide Syria ceasefire deal

A ceasefire deal in Syria will come into effect at midnight local time tonight, the Russian foreign ministry has announced.

Turkey and Russia will oversee the implementation of the ceasefire deal, with the Turkish foreign ministry also confirming that Ankara and Moscow would act as the “guarantors” of the ceasefire.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Lavrov said seven opposition groups had signed the ceasefire deal, with these groups holding command over more than 60,000 opposition fighters.

According to the terms of the deal, all those groups that have not signed the ceasefire deal, he said, will be deemed as “terrorist groups”.

The Syrian regime’s state news agency Sana confirmed that the Syrian government’s military leadership had agreed to a total ceasefire in Syria.

Commenting on the ceasefire deal, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “This agreement we’ve reached is very fragile, as we all understand. It requires special attention and patience, professional attitude, and constant contact with our partners.”

Putin also confirmed that Russia would begin a draw down of its military deployment in line with the ceasefire deal.

Lavrov said Russia was prepared to ask Egypt to join the deal, and said Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan would also be invited to become part of the deal.