Syrian government and rebels welcome U.S.-Russia cease-fire deal

Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime says it agrees with the cease-fire deal reached between the United States and Russia early Saturday morning. "The Syrian government has approved the agreement, and a cessation of hostilities will begin in Aleppo for humanitarian reasons," said Syria's state-run media outlet, SANA. The report cited "informed sources" and applauded the deal's goal of "reaching the necessary political solutions for Syria."

The truce has also been welcomed by the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Turkey, as well as Syria's primary opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition. "We in the Syrian National Coalition are always with any initiative or agreement that aims to protect civilians and end the suffering of the people [especially] in besieged areas," said the group's president, Anas Abdah.

A cease-fire will begin Monday at sundown, permitting much-needed humanitarian aid to make its way into Syria's devastated cities. After a week, American and Russian forces will begin cooperating to target Islamic State and al Qaeda militants in Syria.

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