The pact spells out a process that intends — at least according to the Obama administration — to culminate in Assad’s departure. Assad, however, made it clear he has no plans to completely stop fighting to crush the five-year-old rebellion against his regime. [Watch: How the cease-fire talks unfolded]The United States and Russia announced a new multi-step plan to bring Syria closer to a negotiated peace deal. Kerry stressed that this should be the ultimate goal of the deal reached with Russia, a key ally of Assad. The letter offered no new enforcement measures other than the reporting mechanism established by cease-fire agreement earlier this year, which collapsed within weeks amid escalating government airstrikes.

Source: Washington Post September 12, 2016 09:52 UTC