Syria truce ‘to start at weekend’

“Much work now lies ahead to ensure its implementation, and the worldwide community, the ISSG (International Syria Support Group) and the Syrian parties must remain steadfast in their resolve”.

The ceasefire was scheduled to start a week later, but did not take effect.

“The modalities for a cessation of hostilities are now being completed”.

The Riyadh-based High Negotiations Committee said in a statement that it “agreed to respond positively to global efforts to reach a truce deal”.

In their joint statement, the United States and Russian Federation called on all Syrian parties, regional states and other players to “support the immediate cessation of violence and bloodshed in Syria and to contribute to the swift, effective and successful promotion of the UN-facilitated political transition process”.

Agreement on a truce is the first step toward resolving the Syrian crisis, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, according to the Twitter page of Iran’s state-run Arabic news channel Al-Alam.

And he said he was ready to implement a long-sought ceasefire, but only if the rebels and their worldwide backers such as Turkey did not use it as a chance to gain ground.

The Islamic State group and other jihadists on Monday cut a vital supply route linking the west of Syria’s second city Aleppo with other government-held territory, a monitoring group said.

Putin said that Russian and US negotiators had held several rounds of closed consultations, which had achieved “an important, definite result”. The U.S. also condemned the “barbaric terrorist attacks”.

The Syrian leader described foreign sponsorship as “active” and “unlimited”. Riad Hijab did not elaborate but urged Russia, Iran and the Assad government to end attacks, lift blockades and release prisoners held in Syria.

The United States and Russian Federation announced today that a landmark “cessation of hostilities” in war-torn Syria will take effect on February 27. Russian Federation is a key ally of Assad’s government, while the USA backs some of the rebels fighting to overthrow him.

He said the cessation would be for an initial two weeks and “could be extended indefinitely if the parties commit to it”.

Reuters quoted Western diplomatic sources as saying the ceasefire would not include so-called Islamic State (IS) or the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front.

“We will do whatever is necessary with Damascus, with the legitimate Syrian authorities”, Putin said during a televised address after speaking by phone with US President Barack Obama. The officials weren’t authorized to speak about the matter publicly and demanded anonymity.

The violence has continued, with dozens killed in a string of auto and suicide bombings in the city of Homs and the outskirts of Damascus on Sunday.

No end to the fighting. Earlier this week, U.N. Special Envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura said that the Syrian peace talks would “not realistically” be resumed on February the 25th, as planned.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said a “provisional agreement” has been reached on a cessation of hostilities that could begin in coming days.