WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The task force leading the implementation of the cessation of hostilities in Syria began work on Friday on rolling out a ceasefire deal, US Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner said.
"Let’s give this task force a chance to implement this pause in the fighting, this cessation of hostilities. That task force has begun its job today," Toner stated when asked whether cessation of hostilities could be reached within a week amid continuing Russian military activities in Syria.
Toner noted that he hoped the task force — overseen by the UN and co-chaired by the United States and Russia in addition to International Syria Support Group (ISSG) member states — will sway opposition groups to come together and "exert what influence that they have on them."
Following the announcement of the ceasefire agreement, the US Central Command announced they had conducted no airstrikes in Syria.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would not stop its airstrike campaign because the cessation of hostilities plan did not apply on operations against the Islamic State terror group, which is also known as Daesh.
