Syria rebels say shifting heavy arms from Idlib buffer zone

Syrian rebels said Saturday they have begun withdrawing heavy arms from a planned buffer zone for northwestern Idlib province, ahead of a deadline to set up the demilitarised area.The Turkey-backed National Liberation Front (NLF) "has started pulling out its heavy weapons from the zone", the rebel coalition's spokesman Naji Mustafa told AFP.Under the deal all rebels in the demilitarised zone must withdraw heavy arms by October 10, and hardline jihadist groups must leave by October 15.