The Syrian military has unilaterally declared a three-day truce covering the whole country, BBC News reports citing state media.

A statement by the general command said the "regime of calm" began at 01:00 on Wednesday, July 6 (22:00 GMT on Tuesday) and would last until midnight on Friday.

The announcement coincides with the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr.

Earlier, President Bashar al-Assad made a rare public appearance outside the capital, Damascus, attending Eid prayers in the devastated city of Homs.

More than 250,000 people have been killed since an uprising against Assad erupted five years ago.

Eleven million others have been forced from their homes as government forces and rebels battle each other - as well as jihadist militants from Islamic State (IS).