叙利亚同意美俄停火协议

Syria said Tuesday it accepts a cease-fire plan proposed by the United States and Russia that would begin Saturday.

A government statement said the military will continue its operations against Islamic State and al-Qaida-linked groups.

The U.S.-Russia plan does not apply to those militants, and any other groups have until Friday to confirm their participation. The main Syrian opposition High Negotiations Committee said late Monday it agrees to the cease-fire as long as its demands for the lifting of sieges, delivery of humanitarian aid and an end of bombings of civilians are met.

In a joint statement Monday, the U.S. and Russia said that under the plan parties involved in the conflict would limit any use of force to situations such as responding in self-defense. The parties would also agree to provide unhindered access to humanitarian groups delivering aid to besieged areas.