Syrian army says countrywide ceasefire to start midnight Thursday
Halt in fighting excludes Islamic State and all groups linked to them.
Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad flash victory signs and carry a Syrian national flag on the edge of the historic city of Palmyra in Homs Governorate, in this handout picture provided by SANA on March 26, 2016. (photo credit: REUTERS)ByREUTERSUpdated: