UN Security Council Endorses Syria Ceasefire

© AFP 2023 / TIMOTHY A. CLARY Foreign Ministers vote during a UN Security Council meeting on Syria at the United Nations in New York on December 18, 2015
Foreign Ministers vote during a UN Security Council meeting on Syria at the United Nations in New York on December 18, 2015 - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing the Russia-US agreement on the cessation of hostilities in war-torn Syria starting Saturday.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — The 15-member Council held a vote following a report on the situation in Syria by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura.

The resolution urges all parties to commit to the cessation of hostilities, which is set to begin at midnight Damascus time on February 27 (22:00 GMT February 26), and reiterates a call to allow humanitarian aid access to all blockaded areas in Syria.

On Monday, the United States and Russia, the co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), announced a plan for a ceasefire between the government forces and armed opposition groups in Syria. The deal excludes the Islamic State (Daesh) and al-Nusra Front terrorist groups.

Associated Press reporter Matt Lee reminded State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner of the department’s sharp and immediate condemnation of an Israeli shelling, which accidentally struck a school in Gaza last year. - Sputnik International
State Dept: Vast Majority of Syrian Opposition Groups Commit to Ceasefire
The Syrian government has confirmed its readiness to halt its military actions in accordance with the Russia-US agreement. Some opposition forces have been sceptical about the ceasefire, but in general have agreed to adhere to it.

According to Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, the conflicting Syrian sides that are ready to abide by the ceasefire have contacted the Russian coordination center for reconciliation in Syria's Latakia province over 10 times during the first day it has been in operation.

Russia and the United States can bomb any Syrian militant groups that have expressed their unwillingness to observe the ceasefire, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov noted. Washington, in its turn, said it was discussing a so-called Plan B to be implemented in the event that the Syrian ceasefire agreement is violated. Moscow has ruled out any Plan B for Syria.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала