The Latest: Turkey welcomes Syria de-escalation zones deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands after a news conference following their talks in Putin's residence in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, May 3, 2017. The presidents of Russia and Turkey are holding talks on the situation in Syria and also the restoration of full economic ties between their two countries. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool) Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands after a news conference following their talks in Putin's residence in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, May 3, 2017. The presidents of Russia and Turkey are holding talks on the situation in Syria and also the restoration of full economic ties between their two countries. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool)

By Associated Press May 4, 2017 3 min read

BEIRUT (AP) – The latest on the conflict on Syria and the agreement reached on Russia-led talks n Kazakhstan (all times local):

5:05 p.m.

Turkey’s foreign ministry has welcomed an agreement signed in Astana, Kazakhstan, to set up “non-conflict zones” in Syria.

The ministry says in a statement on Thursday that the agreement noted efforts to “end all use of weapons, including by aircrafts between clashing parties” and ensure the flow of humanitarian aid.

It says the deal entailed “non-conflict zones” in the whole of Idlib province, parts of Lattakia, Aleppo and Hama provinces, and also parts of Homs province and the Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta. It would also apply to areas of Daraa and Quneitra provinces.