LOC10:20
07:20 GMT
AMMAN, Oct 20 (KUNA) -- The Syrian Army declared on Thursday that a cease-fire went into effect in the northern city of Aleppo to allow opposition gunmen and civilians leave the city eastern sector.
Official Syrian Television quoted the military as saying in a statement that the cease-fire, scheduled between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Syria local time), was holding on the ground with the forces' guns falling silent.
The Syrian Army had declared the truce to be also effective on Friday and Saturday, urging all gunmen in the eastern part of the city to drop their guns, pull out and take advantage of a presidential amnesty.
"Every gunman who fails to seize the opportunity is doomed," the army warned in the statement.
There are scores of opposition fighters entrenched in the eastern sector -- along with some 200,000 civilians. The city has been besieged by the Syrian government troops, with Russian air support. (end)
tk.rk