International

A Western official said on Wednesday that Russia has made a proposal to begin a ceasefire in Syria on March 1, but the official said no agreement has been reached on the Russian offer.

The official said the United States has concerns about some elements of the Russian proposal.

The move by Moscow to halt the fighting comes after gains made by government troops backed by Russian airstrikes, against rebel forces.

The timing of the ceasefire call is likely to be treated with suspicion, being seen as a step to protect ground captured by the Damascus regime.

The 1 March date would allow Bashar al Assad's military to complete its capture of the rebel-held stronghold of Aleppo.