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War on terror shouldn't be affected by ceasefire: Syrian minister

Xinhua, February 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

Syrian Minister of National Reconciliation Ali Haidar said on Tuesday that the recently declared cessation of hostilities must not affect the war on terror.

In a briefing, the minister hailed the government acceptance to observe a cessation of hostilities as agreed upon by the U.S. and Russia.

He, however, said that government acceptance includes details that shouldn't be overlooked.

"There are details for the government acceptance, mainly not to exclude the war on terror from any international effort, to have a clear roadmap about the areas where terrorists are located," minister said.

He added that Daesh, the Arabic term for the Islamic State (IS) group, and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front are not the only terrorist groups in Syria.

"Here I also say that terrorism is not only confined to Daesh and al-Nusra, but all of the other groups, which are still holding arms in the face of the Syrian army," he said.

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 IS and 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.

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