Syrian President claims he is 'ready to stop military operations'

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said he is ready for a ceasefire, on the condition that "terrorists" did not use it to their advantage.

He added that countries backing insurgents must halt support for the "terrorists".

Damascus refers to all insurgents fighting against the Syrian army and its allies as terrorists.

He said any truce must ensure that "other countries, especially Turkey, are prevented from sending more terrorists and weapons, or any kind of logistical support".

On Monday the Syrian President said on state TV that any ceasefire in his war-torn country "doesn't mean each party will stop using weapons."

This was after world powers agreed to implement a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria at a conference in Munich last week.

Syria's opposition has said it had agreed to the "possibility" of a temporary truce, provided there were guarantees Damascus's allies including Russia would cease fire, sieges were lifted, and aid deliveries were allowed country-wide.

The ceasefire was scheduled to start a week later, but it did not take effect.

Syrian army offensives continue unabated across the country, backed by Russian air strikes.