Syrias government
US close to suspending Syria talks with Russia as Aleppo battle rages
Moscow and Damascus launched a campaign to recapture the rebel-held sector of Syria’s biggest city.
The new discussions were being held at staff level, & have yet to produce any recommendations to Obama.
The ceasefire marks the biggest bet yet by Washington that it can work with Moscow to end the war.
Military officials from the US and Russia have been meeting for weeks to try to work on terms of a deal.
Turkey sent tanks and troops into Syria on Wednesday to support its Syrian rebel allies.
Syrian state television showed scores of mostly women gathered in a government-controlled area of the city.
Military officials from the two countries reached the agreement at a video conference.
A civil defence worker said 32 people were killed in rebel-held parts of the city during the strikes.
The week’s three big offensives are some of the most aggressive campaigns against Islamic State.
The violence is part of intense fighting, pitting the Kurdish YPG militia, which is backed by Washington.
State television showed thousands of people queuing to vote, as well as crowds waving Syrian flags.
Pictures sent by activists showed burnt cars, charred corpses and body parts in the area.
Officials said the election was a sign Assad was unwilling to seek a political solution to the conflict.
The UN's human right chief said violations by Syrian forces far outweighed those by the opposition.
Despite causing a civil war which has killed more than 140,000 people, Assad wants a third term.
The resolution called for the immediate lifting of sieges in specific towns and cities.
The evacuees, mainly women, children and old men, were brought out by the UN and Syrian Red Crescent.
The US accused Damascus of dragging its feet and asked Russia to pressure Assad’s government.
Western diplomats say Syria should move quickly to allow aid in or face a possible UN resolution.