Russia pullout 'significant development' for Syria talks

The UN envoy for Syria on Tuesday hailed  Russia's partial military withdrawal from the war-ravaged country, describing the move as a "significant development" and voicing hope it could positively influence peace talks.

"The announcement by President (Vladimir) Putin on the very day of the beginning of this round of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva is a significant development, which we hope will have a positive impact on the progress of the negotiations in Geneva aimed at achieving a political solution of the Syrian conflict and a peaceful political transition in the country," Staffan de Mistura said in a statement.