The plan for the "de-escalation areas" was discussed on Tuesday by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a telephone conversation. REBEL FORCESUN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "encouraged" by the breakthrough. POLITICAL TALKSThe fourth zone will include parts of the Deraa and Quneitra provinces in southern Syria, according to the memorandum seen by AFP. Guterres said the United Nations will support de-escalation efforts, but he did not specify whether it would have a role in the new set-up. More than 320,000 people have been killed in Syria since the country's war began with anti-government protests in March 2011.

Source: Daily Nation May 05, 2017 09:33 UTC