Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said he will study a UN proposal for “local ceasefires” in the war-ravaged northern city of Aleppo.

The UN’s Syria mediator Staffan de Mistura had called for “freeze zones” to halt fighting and improve aid.

Mr Assad’s office said it was “worth studying” to return security to Aleppo.

Syria’s civil war has hit Aleppo hard. It is split into rebel and government-controlled areas and has seen regular air raids, killing many civilians.

More than 200,000 people have lost their lives in the civil war, which is in its fourth year.