Lavrov: No alternative to the cessation of hostilities agreement in Syria

Moscow, SANA- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov affirmed on Thursday that there is no alternative to the cessation of hostilities agreement in Syria, delivering aid, combating terrorism and launching a political process through a comprehensive dialogue as soon as possible.

Lavrov, at a press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault in Moscow, stressed that ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations and the other terrorist factions affiliated to them will never be part of the cessation of hostilities agreement

He pointed out that Russia will not retreat from its stance demanding the separation between Jabhat al-Nusra and what Washington calls as “moderate opposition”, adding that Moscow is ready to discuss the draft resolution provided by Paris at the UN Security Council on the situation in Aleppo if it includes the Russian amendments on the separation between terrorists and “moderate opposition” in accordance with the resolutions of UNSC, International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and the Russian-American agreements.

Lavrov affirmed that Moscow and Damascus are still ready to meet their obligations under the Russian-US deal on Syria despite Washington’s decision to suspend the Russian-US cooperation on the crisis in Syria, adding that the obligations include ensuring the cessation of hostilities and delivering humanitarian aid to Aleppo.

Manar/Mazen