Syria’s army has suspended “active” military action in eastern Aleppo, according to Russia’s foreign minister. <br /><br /> It is reportedly to allow thousands of civilians to leave rebel-held territory. <br /><br /> But journalists in one government-held part of the city said bombardment could still be heard after Sergei Lavrov’s comments were published. <br /><br /> Russian and US military experts are due to meet in Geneva on Saturday to discuss the situation in Aleppo.<br /><br /> Lavrov explained: “An agreement has been reached to hold a meeting on Saturday in Geneva between our military experts and diplomats, in order to finalise the work that has somewhat sporadically continued over all these days on a document that would determine ways and means of reaching a final solution for the eastern Aleppo problem, by ensuring the withdrawal of all militants as well as civilians who would want to leave.”<br /><br /> US Secretary of State John Kerry says he’s “hopeful” about reaching an agreement, but is awaiting “certain feedback and input” from Moscow. <br /><br /> The last two weeks have seen rebels driven from most of their territory in Aleppo, what was once Syria’s largest city.<br /><br /> “For now there are 150,000 who are condemned to death. (We demand) a safe corridor for the civilians and to stop the shelling and to stop the bloodshed,” said Brita Haji Hasan, President of Aleppo City Council. <br /><br /> Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has vowed that retaking Aleppo would change the course of the six-year-old war.<br /><br /> The prospect of that, following months of government gains elsewhere, bringing him closer to victory than at any other point in the conflict.<br />
