Regime foreign minister sees 'real chance' for political settlement

Syrian regime's foreign minister said on Thursday there was a "real chance" to reach a political settlement to the Syrian conflict, after Damascus's ally Russia announced a ceasefire deal that was to take effect at midnight.

"It is the duty of the factions (opposition groups) who have signed it to distance themselves from, and declare that they are not linked to, the Nusra Front or Daesh," Walid al-Moualem added, in an interview broadcast live on state TV.