Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the USA State Department, said on the 17th that the two factions of Syrian armed groups supported by the USA and Turkey agreed to extend a temporary ceasefire agreement reached last week until this weekend. The USA will continue to engage with Syrian and Turkish parties to ease tensions in northern Syria. Miller stated at a regular press briefing that the USA hopes the aforementioned ceasefire agreement is extended 'as much as possible,' and 'we do not wish to see any side taking advantage of the current instability in Syria to advance their own interests.' (Xinhua News Agency)