Munich, February 12 (RHC)-- Negotiators have agreed to a cessation of hostilities in Syria set to begin in a week and to provide rapid humanitarian access to besieged Syrian towns.  The agreement on Friday came following a marathon meeting in Munich aimed at resurrecting peace talks that collapsed last week. 

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday a ceasefire is to take effect within a week.  Lavrov urged the Saudi-backed opposition to abandon its “nonconstructive stance” and return to the negotiating table without preconditions.  "I hope that the opposition and those who control various groups of opposition will have no more reasons to somehow avoid meeting their obligations," Lavrov said.