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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Syria government 'approves' US-Russia peace agreement | Syria government 'approves' US-Russia peace agreement |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Syrian government has approved the peace deal agreed by the US and Russia, according to state news agency SANA. | |
| A nationwide ceasefire is planned to begin at sunset on Monday after lengthy talks between the two world powers in Geneva. | |
| The state media outlet said the "cessation of hostilities" would begin in Aleppo "for humanitarian reasons", reported Associated Press. | |
| It did not say when the violence will stop, adding that the US-Russia agreement “was reached with the knowledge and approval of the Syrian government.” | |
| Syrian government warplanes continued to bombard rebel-held areas around the country on Saturday while insurgents shelled government-held neighborhoods in violence that left dozens killed or wounded. | |
| US Secretary of State John Kerry has said the agreement could be a “turning point” for the war-torn country if implemented. | US Secretary of State John Kerry has said the agreement could be a “turning point” for the war-torn country if implemented. |
| Mr Kerry said the plan was intended “to reduce violence, ease suffering and resume movement towards a negotiated peace and a political transition in Syria.” | Mr Kerry said the plan was intended “to reduce violence, ease suffering and resume movement towards a negotiated peace and a political transition in Syria.” |
| “The Syrian government has approved the agreement, and a cessation of hostilities will begin in Aleppo for humanitarian reasons,” wrote SANA, citing "informed sources". | |
| A mainstream rebel group has said the new ceasefire could signal “the beginning of the end of the civilians' ordeal” in Syria. | |
| High Negotiations Committee spokesperson Bassma Kodmani said the body welcomed the deal “if it is going to be enforced.” | High Negotiations Committee spokesperson Bassma Kodmani said the body welcomed the deal “if it is going to be enforced.” |
| The onus was on Russia as its influence “was the only way to get the regime to comply,” her statement added. | The onus was on Russia as its influence “was the only way to get the regime to comply,” her statement added. |
| However, not all rebels fighting in the war-torn country shared Dr Kodmani's optimism, with some saying there was little chance of the new agreement succeeding. | However, not all rebels fighting in the war-torn country shared Dr Kodmani's optimism, with some saying there was little chance of the new agreement succeeding. |
| Free Syrian Army regional leader Fares al-Bayoush said Russia and Damascus had not observed the last agreement, and the chances of the new deal succeeding were the same as the last one. | Free Syrian Army regional leader Fares al-Bayoush said Russia and Damascus had not observed the last agreement, and the chances of the new deal succeeding were the same as the last one. |
| A ceasefire reached by the two world powers earlier this year and put into effect in late February failed shortly afterward and was followed by months of violence the killed thousands. | |
| Russia is a main backer of Assad's government while the U.S. has been supporting rebel groups trying to remove him from power. | |
| Syria's conflict, now in its sixth year, has continued despite several rounds of peace talks and international attempts to try end the violence. At least a quarter million people have been killed and half the country's prewar population displaced. | |
| Additional reporting by agencies |