The U.S. and Russia have jointly announced an agreement on Syria that will see a nationwide cease-fire start early next week.<br />Secretary of State John Kerry said the plan could reduce violence in Syria and lead to a long-sought political transition.<br />The cease-fire begins at sundown Monday, Kerry said, coinciding with the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday.<br />Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, confirmed the agreement and said it could help expand the counterterrorism fight and aid deliveries to Syrian civilians.<br />As many as 500,000 people have died in Syria after more than five years of warfare.
