US and Russia ink a deal to a nationwide ceasefire in Syria

US and Russia have agreed to a nationwide ceasefire in Syria from Monday. The announcement came after talks between US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Geneva Friday. 

Under the plan, the Syrian Government will end combat missions in specified areas held by the opposition and both US and Russia would establish a joint implementation Group Centre to fight the Islamic State group and the al-Qaeda-allied Nusra



fighters.

Mr Kerry said, the plan could reduce violence in Syria and lead to a long sought political transition, ending more than five years of bloodshed.

The Russian Foreign Minister said, the agreement could help expand the counter-terrorism fight and aid deliveries to Syrian civilians.The United Nations envoy to Syria, Stefan de Mistura, welcomed the agreement and said the UN would use all efforts to deliver humanitarian aid.