Govt says it accepts proposed truce deal

Cessation of hostilities will take effect on Saturday, Washington and Moscow assert

The Syrian government said on Tuesday it accepted a halt to "combat operations" that does not include the Islamic State group, the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, or groups connected to it, in line with a US-Russian plan.

A landmark truce is to take effect in Syria on Saturday, the United States and Russia announced.