The Syrian regime led by President Bashar al-Assad has said it is ready to agree to a ceasefire after the country's deputy Prime Minister revealed the civil war has reached a 'stalemate'.

Qadri Jamil, deputy prime minister of Syria, told the Guardian in an interview that neither side is strong enough to win, adding that the regime would offer the ceasefire option during the proposed Geneva talks.

Last week Russia and America agreed a deal to eliminate Syria's stockpile of chemical weapons and begin discussions between both sides as an alternative solution to US intervention, though rebel forces against the Assad have said they are opposed to the talks unless the President agrees to step down.

More than 100,000 people have died in the two-year civil war between President Bashar al-Assad and rebel forces, as millions have either fled the country or been made homeless. The United States was close to entering the conflict against Assad in August after it was discovered that chemical weapons had been used, an attack the United Nations say claimed the lives of 1,429 people.


Written and presented by Alfred Joyner

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