World Bulletin / News Desk

Moscow said Wednesday it has started ceasefire negotiations with opposition groups in five Syrian provinces following a Moscow-Washington deal on a cessation of hostilities in the war-torn country.

The Russian defence ministry said in a statement that it has opened a coordination centre in Syria that is "already carrying out work with representatives of the groups in various settlements in the provinces of Hama, Homs, Latakia, Damascus and Deraa."