Bloomberg quoted informed sources as saying that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is ready for an agreement that allows him to hold on to the remaining areas under his control or guarantee his safe exit.

The sources said that Assad is trying to make his "last attempt to stay in power" through indirect initiatives with Washington and President-elect Donald Trump.

Informed sources were also quoted as saying that Assad proposes enacting a new constitution and holding talks with the political opposition.

Bloomberg website suggested that the Syrian president is in Tehran, according to what it quoted from a source it described as informed.

Sergei Markov, a political adviser close to the Kremlin, was also quoted as saying that Assad is in great danger.

Markov added that some of the Iraqi militias supported by Tehran returned to their country after the regime gave up Deir Ezzor.

The Syrian armed opposition announced that it had begun implementing the final phase of encircling Damascus, saying that only a few kilometers separated it from the capital.

It also said that it had taken control of towns and cities in the western and southern countryside of Damascus, including Quneitra, and that it was now less than 20 kilometers from the southern gate of the capital, Damascus.