Russia wants UN to endorse Syrian cease-fire deal next week
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 September 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia wants UN to endorse Syrian cease-fire deal next week, 16 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58189da9a.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 16, 2016
Russia wants the United Nations Security Council next week to endorse the Syrian cease-fire agreement that it brokered with the United States.
The truce went into effect on September 12 and has been mostly holding across the war-torn country despite minor violations.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said on September 15 that he hopes the Security Council will adopt a resolution endorsing the agreement at a summit-level Security Council meeting on Syria on September 21.
The cease-fire is intended to pave the way for a resumption of humanitarian aid and peace talks to end the six-year civil war. Several previous negotiated cease-fires have unraveled and efforts to hold the peace talks have repeatedly stalled.
Meanwhile, the Russian military said Syrian government forces had pulled back from a key highway to the besieged city of Aleppo to allow for aid deliveries, but opposition fighters had failed to do the same as required under the deal.
Lieutenant General Vladimir Savchenko said the Syrian Army withdrew its armor, artillery, and other weapons north of the Castello road early on September 15, but may reverse the move unless rebel groups follow suit.
Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
