Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has agreed to allow the United Nations to deliver aid to Syria through two new border crossings from Turkey for three months, UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths told a closed-door Council meeting on Monday. Security, according to diplomats.

Griffiths met Assad in Damascus yesterday, a week after the devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria left more than 37,000 dead.

The reaction was immediate from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who welcomed Syrian President Assad’s decision to open two new crossing points between Turkey and northwestern Syria for three months to allow humanitarian aid to go to earthquake victims, according to announcement.

“I welcome the decision of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to open the two crossing points of Bab Al-Salam and Al-Rai between Turkey and northwestern Syria for an initial period of three months,” Guterres said.

The areas of northwestern Syria are controlled by anti-regime forces.