World powers agrees 'cessation of hostilities' in Syria: Kerry

United States Secretary of State John Kerry has said that the world powers have agreed on an ambitious plan to cease hostilities in war wrecked Syria within a week and dramatically ramp up humanitarian access at talks in Munich aimed at ending the five-year war.

Dawn reported that the working group of 17 countries meeting agreed 'to implement a nationwide cessation of hostilities to begin in a target of one week's time'.

The International Syria Support Group also agreed 'to accelerate and expand the delivery of humanitarian aid beginning immediately'.

'Sustained delivery will begin this week, first to the areas where it is most urgently needed and then to all the people in need throughout the country, particularly in the besieged and hard to reach areas,' added Kerry.

He also said peace talks between rebels and the Syrian government would resume in Geneva 'as soon as possible'.

They were derailed earlier this month as the regime began bombarding the key rebel city of Aleppo with support from Russian bombers and Iranian fighters, triggering an exodus of over 50,000 refugees.