GENEVA — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States and Russia have finalized a plan to reduce violence in Syria and lead to a political transition ending more than five years of war.

Kerry says the deal clinched with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov could be a “turning point” for the conflict, if implemented. The new nationwide cease-fire becomes effective at sundown Monday.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, right, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, walk in to their meeting room in Geneva, Switzerland, Friday to discuss the crisis in Syria.

He spoke early Saturday at a joint press conference with Lavrov after a marathon day of negotiations in Geneva.

Related Stories