FNA- Russia's Defence minister Sergey Shoigu said If the agreement holds, it would allow Russia to scale down its military presence in Syria.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has announced that a ceasefire will take place between the forces of President Bashir al Assad and the rebels on midnight December 30, Sun Daily reported.

It comes after Vladimir Putin said an agreement was reached between Bashar al-Assad�s regime and rebels.

Shoigu said the truce has been supported by seven major armed opposition groups, with over 60,000 fighters in their ranks,

Turkey�s foreign ministry also confirmed the news, but said it excludes groups the UN considers to be terrorist organisations, including ISIL, Fatah al-Sham Front (al-Nusra Front) and all groups linked to them.

All other relevant parties are said to have agreed the deal, which comes after a bloody battle for militant-held Aleppo ended with the Syrian Army in control.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also said, according to Reuters, that Egypt and Turkey would be invited to take part in the peace talks. The US would also be invited, once Donald Trump becomes president in 2017.