US and Russia agree plan to create Syria ceasefire
The United States and Russia have agreed on a plan that would create a ceasefire in Syria starting on Saturday, according to US officials.
The officials said that the two sides have agreed on the terms and conditions for the "cessation of hostilities".
The truce excludes attacks on the Islamic State group and the Nusra Front, al Qaida's local affiliate.
An announcement is expected after Presidents Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin speak on the matter by telephone.
Meanwhile, the Islamic State group has released the last of some 230 Assyrian Christians kidnapped a year ago in Syria after receiving millions of dollars in ransom, Christian officials said.
Younan Talia, of the Assyrian Democratic Organisation, said that about 40 remaining Christian captives were released early on Monday and are on their way to the north-eastern town of Tal Tamr.
He said the release came after mediation led by a top Assyrian priest in northern Syria.
The extremists captured the Assyrians, members of an ancient Christian sect, last February after overrunning several communities on the southern bank of the Khabur River in northeastern Hassakeh province.
Kidnapping for ransom is a main source of income for the extremists. In November, IS said it killed a Norwegian and a Chinese captive after demanding ransom for their release two months earlier.
Mr Talia said IS demanded a ransom of $18m for the Assyrian Christians. He said the figure was later lowered following negotiations. He said he did not know the final amount.
