UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday he hoped to see an "immediate and lasting cessation of hostilities" that would help the people of northern Syria, after Russia and Turkey agreed to a ceasefire. The deal -- which goes into effect from midnight on Friday -- aims to put a stop to intense fighting in Idlib, the northwestern province of Syria where Ankara is battling Moscow-backed government forces. Guterres "hopes that this agreement will lead to an immediate and lasting cessation of hostilities that ensures the protection of civilians in northwest Syria, who have already endured enormous suffering," a statement said. phr/sst/it