A cease-fire agreement between Syria's government and the country's mainstream rebel groups has gone into effect in the war-ravaged nation.
The truce was brokered by both Russia and Turkey, who support opposing sides in the war. It took effect at midnight (local time) Thursday.
The agreement is a potential breakthrough in the six-year civil war that has left more than a quarter-million people dead and triggered a refugee crisis across Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says that if the truce holds, it will be followed by peace talks next month in Kazakhstan between Syrian President Bashar Assad's government and opposition groups.
Syria's foreign minister welcomed the cease-fire agreement and said there is a "real chance'' for a political settlement.
In comments made to Syrian TV earlier Thursday, he said the Syrian government will attend peace talks in the Kazakh capital Astana "with an open mind,'' but suggested it would not be willing to compromise on the fate of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
"Everything is negotiable except national sovereignty and the people's right to choose its leadership.''
He lashed out at Turkey, calling it an "aggressive country and an occupier of parts of the Syrian territories.''
He also said Turkey was not mentioned in any of the documents that were signed, adding that Turkey was not a partner and "we didn't negotiate with it.''
Russia's president called Assad Thursday to discuss the cease-fire agreement and upcoming talks in Astana, the Syrian presidency said on its Instagram page.