UN: Syrian government willing to suspend Aleppo strikes

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has expressed willingness to suspend its aerial bombardment and artillery shelling of the northern city of Aleppo to allow for a local ceasefire to be tested.

UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura who disclosed this to the media after briefing the Security Council, said opposition forces would also be asked to suspend attacks.

Aleppo is divided into a rebel-controlled west and government-held east.

Mr. de Mistura wants to see a UN-monitored "freeze zone" that will calm violence there, allow more humanitarian aid access and act as the first step towards a wider solution to the conflict.

ALJAZEERA