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DAMASCUS, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army on Thursday declared a nationwide cease-fire that will go into force as of midnight Friday, Dec. 30, state TV reported Thursday.
The cease-fire will exclude the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and the Islamic State (IS) group, both designated as terrorist groups by the United Nations, said a Syrian army statement.
The cease-fire came after the successes and victories achieved by the Syrian army on several fronts, the statement said.
It wasn't the first time that a nationwide cease-fire was agreed in Syria, but earlier ones eventually failed.
The first intermittent cease-fire was declared last February and was renewed for some time.
The Syrian army's declaration of cease-fire on Thursday reflected an agreement reached Wednesday between Russia and Turkey for a nationwide cease-fire in Syria, whose details are yet to be made public.
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Thursday that an agreement has been reached on a Syrian cease-fire, noting that Russia and Turkey will act as its guarantors.
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Turkey says Syria approaches permanent ceasefire
ANKARA, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Wednesday that a permanent ceasefire and a political solution to the Syrian crisis is close, local media reported.
Cavusoglu's comments came after reports of an agreement between Turkey and Moscow for a general ceasefire deal in Syria. Full story
Iran urges exclusion of Saudi Arabia from Syria peace talks
TEHRAN, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran's defense minister said Wednesday that Saudi Arabia should not be part of Syria peace talks, Tasnim news agency reported.
"They (Saudi Arabia) are seeking to topple the existing regime in Syria. No talks should be allowed with those who are eager to do it. We must give them a decisive answer," Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan was quoted as saying.Full story
