DAMASCUS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- A deal was reached Thursday for the entry of the Syrian army to all rebel-held areas in the southern province of Quneitra near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, state news agency SANA reported.

According to the deal, which is backed by Russia, the Syrian army will enter all of the areas that had been controlled by the government before 2011, the year of the Syrian war, said SANA.

It said the rebels will surrender their weapons, those who reject to reconcile with the government will evacuate to rebel-held areas in northern Syria; others who want to stay will embark on a reconciliation process with the government.

The deal will see the entire Quneitra province near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights back under the government control.