Russia defence chief meets Assad in Damascus

Syria's president hosted Russia's defence minister on Monday to discuss a recent cease-fire in rebel-held rthwestern Syria, which ended rare direct fighting between Syrian and Turkish troops.

President Bashar Ass met with Sergey Shoygu in Syrian capital, Damascus.

Syria's state news ncy SANA said talks focused on implementing Russia-Turkey agreement signed earlier this month.

In dition to stopping fighting, agreement called for pushing militants out of a buffer zone on eir side of a vital highway that runs through rebel territory.

Under deal, militants were to stay back 6 kilometres (4 miles) from east-west M4 highway, intended to allow ro to open for first time in nearly eight years.

cease-fire deal was brokered between Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides in Syrian conflict.

deal halted a three-month Syrian government offensive into country's last rebel stronghold.