EU demands humanitarian protection under Idlib deal

A Russian-Turkish deal on Syria's rebel-held Idlib region must protect civilians and allow aid access, the European Union said on Tuesday.

"We expect that the agreement which was ... reached yesterday by the Russian and Turkish presidents will guarantee the protection of civilian lives and infrastructure as well as guarantee the unhindered and sustainable humanitarian access," an EU spokeswoman told a regular news briefing.

Under the agreement announced on Monday, Russian and Turkish troops are to enforce a new demilitarised zone in the Idlib region from which "radical" rebels will be required to withdraw by the middle of next month.