Mechanism to be established to monitor ceasefire in Syria: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that his country and the United States were ready to set up an implementation and monitor mechanism to ensure respect of a ceasefire in Syria.

"It is essential that Russia and the United States, co-chairs of the International Syrian Support Group, are ready to run an effective mechanism for the implementation and monitoring of the ceasefire by both the Syrian government and armed opposition groups," Putin said in a televised address posted on the Kremlin's website.

Putin's remarks came hours after Washington and Moscow announced plans for a cessation of hostilities in Syria, excluding Islamic State and Nusra Front militants, that would take effect from Saturday.

To achieve this, a "hot line" would be created and if necessary a working group would be set up for exchanging information, Putin said.

"The main thing is that conditions have been created for launching a genuine political process through the wide inter-Syrian dialogue in Geneva overseen by the UN," Putin said.

The arm forces of Russia and the U.S. would continue joint work to identify which Syrian armed groups should observe the cessation of hostilities on Saturday, Putin said.

"Russian and the U.S. military forces will jointly define areas on the maps where these groups are active," he said. "The Armed Forces of Syrian Arab Republic, Russian Federation and the U.S.-led coalition will not carry out military operations against these groups."

Putin stressed that all conflicting sides in Syria must reaffirm by noon of Friday their commitment to ceasefire to Russia and the United States.

He urged all regional states to support the ceasefire plan, adding that Russia will do whatever necessary to influence the Syrian leadership.

Calling on the Syrian opposition groups to stop military operations against Syrian government army and its supporting forces, Putin said, "We are counting on the United States to do the same with its allies and groups it supported."

"There was, finally, a real chance to end years of bloodshed and violence," Putin said.

Praising the joint intensive work done by Russian and U.S. experts and negotiators, Putin said the ceasefire agreement could serve as an example for future responses to terrorist threats.

Putin also noted that the ceasefire agreement should facilitate humanitarian aid to all Syrian citizens.

"The main thing (of the agreement) is to create conditions for the launch of a genuine political process through a wide inclusive dialogue in Geneva under the auspices of the UN," Putin added.

Meanwhile, the president confirmed the continuation of strikes against the Islamic State, the Nusra Front and other terror groups.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday said Russia would continue intense contacts on Syria issues with all interested countries, particularly the Middle East states.

"The main task now Russia and the U.S. set after adoption of this joint statement is to stop unnecessary bloodshed and keep fighting terrorism, thus facilitate the political settlement in that country," Tass news agency quoted Peskov as saying. Endit