Ceasefire due to begin in Syria within a week: Lavrov
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Russian FM Sergei Lavrov arrives for a news conference after the International Syria Support Group meeting in Munich, Feb. 12, 2016. ©AFP
Russia’s foreign minister says a ceasefire is to take effect in Syria within a week, urging the Saudi-backed opposition to abandon its “unconstructive” stance and return to the negotiating table without preconditions.
“I hope that the opposition and those who control various groups of opposition will have no more reasons to somehow avoid meeting their obligations,” Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.
He made the announcement during a press conference after marathon talks among members of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) in Munich.
Lavrov said peace talks between the Syrian government and opposition should resume in Geneva immediately. He also called on all opposition groups in Syria to attend the UN-brokered talks.
The talks were suspended on February 3 after the Saudi-backed opposition group, known as the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), refused to attend the sessions.
The so-called HNC refused to continue after the Syrian army, backed by Russian air cover, made significant gains against Takfiri terrorists on several fronts, particularly in the strategic Northern Province of Aleppo.
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