May 4 (UPI) -- Diplomats from Russia, Turkey, Iran and Syria agreed Thursday to create four "de-escalation" zones in war-torn Syria, though forces opposed to President Bashar al-Assad walked out on the deal.
The proposal was put forth by the Russians and agreed to by Turkish leaders who are acting as a guarantor for a coalition of forces opposed to the Assad regime. The Syrian government, backed by Russia and Iran, agreed to the deal Thursday, but members of the opposition delegation walked out on the talks rather than sign their agreement, according to state-run media reports from Turkey and Russia.