Russia, Syrian opposition agree on safe zone mechanism in Damascus suburb of Ghouta

Russia's defense ministry said Saturday that its officials had signed a deal with moderate Syrian opposition at peace talks in Cairo on how a safe zone near Damascus will function, Daily Sabah reports.

"As a result of talks held in Cairo between Russian defense ministry officials and moderate Syrian opposition brokered by the Egyptian side... agreements have been signed on how the Eastern Ghouta de-escalation zone will function," the defense ministry said in a statement sent to AFP.

The opposition stronghold of Eastern Ghouta is in one of four proposed "de-escalation zones" designated in an agreement reached by regime allies Iran and Russia and opposition backer Turkey in May.