In Syria, a nationwide cease-fire that went into effect at midnight has been held, despite minor violations.The ceasefire is meant as a first step towards fresh peace talks, after several failed international efforts this year to halt the conflict, which began as a peaceful uprising and descended into civil war in 2011. <br/><br/>Russian President Vladimir Putin, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, announced the ceasefire on Thursday after forging the agreement with Turkey, a longtime backer of the opposition.<br/><br/>If it holds, the truce will be followed by peace talks next month in Kazakhstan, Putin said while announcing the agreement.