German FM Discusses Syria Crisis With Opposition Negotiator, Kerry - Source

BERLIN (Sputnik) — German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier discussed the situation in Syria with US State Secretary John Kerry and the head of the Syrian opposition's High Negotiations Committee (HNC), Riyad Hijab, a ministerial source told reporters.

"Minister Steinmeier [on Monday] again held telephone conversations with important players and participants [of Syria peace talks, including John Kerry and Riyad Hijab," the source said Monday.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the army loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting several opposition factions and militant organizations, including Daesh, which is banned in Russia, the United States and many other countries.

The HNC, which was created in Saudi Arabia in December and includes representatives of some groups considered to be terrorist organizations by Syria and Russia, is one of the opposition delegations participating in the UN-brokered talks on the Syrian settlement launched late January and put on hold until February 25.

Earlier on Monday, Russia and the United States, which co-chair the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), announced a plan for cessation of hostilities in Syria set to come into effect on February 27 at midnight Damascus time.