Russia says Syrian ceasefire must be simultaneous

Armed opponents of the Syrian government should stop fighting at the same time as government forces and face equal demands to withdraw from their positions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday, a day after disagreeing with Western leaders on how to end the violence.

"This must be simultaneous. There must not be a situation where it is demanded that the government leave cities and towns and this is not demanded of armed groups," Lavrov said.  (Reuters)