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2d LD: Syria agrees to cessation of hostilities

Xinhua, February 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Syria's Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday the Syrian government consents to observe a cessation of hostilities as agreed upon by the U.S. and Russia.

The ministry said the military campaign against the Islamic State (IS) group and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front will continue in accordance to the U.S.-Russian agreement.

It however warned that the Syrian army has the right to respond to any violation by the opposition forces against the people, or the military forces.

Also, the ministry said it will continue to coordinate with the Russian side to identify the areas and the armed groups that will be included in the cessation of hostilities agreement "to ensure the success of agreement."

Meanwhile, the ministry stressed the importance of controlling the borders and bring to halt the support some countries render to the armed groups "to avoid such groups from exploiting the cessation of hostilities agreement."

"The Syrian government, through its acceptance, stresses its keenness to see a curb to the bloodletting in Syria and restore peace and stability," the ministry added.

A day earlier, Russia and the United States agreed to enforce a cessation of hostilities starting from Feb. 27.

Any party engaged in conflicts in Syria will indicate to Russia or the United States their commitment to and acceptance of the terms for the cessation of hostilities by no later than 12:00 Damascus time (1000 GMT) on Feb. 27, according to a joint statement issued by the U.S. State Department. Endit