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Russia negotiates with UN, U.S. on humanitarian access in Syria

Xinhua, August 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

Russia's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that talks were underway with the United Nations and the United States on humanitarian aid to Syria's Aleppo.

"We support the UN proposals on establishing joint control of humanitarian aid to Aleppo delivered using the Castello road," which is the last rebel-controlled supply route into eastern Aleppo, the ministry said in a statement.

More than 50 tons of food, basic necessities and medical supplies, as well as 93 tons of bottled water, have been delivered to Aleppo by Russia, the ministry said.

It added that more than seven corridors were opened, allowing civilians and militants willing to surrender to leave the city.

The ministry noted that all interested humanitarian organizations would be provided with security guarantees in their aid deliveries to Aleppo.

The promise reaffirmed Defense Ministry's announcement on Wednesday about opening a three-hour humanitarian window with a full end of hostilities.

According to Sergei Rudskoy, chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian General Staff, starting Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time (0700 to 1000 GMT), all hostilities, airstrikes and shelling would be ceased to support the humanitarian window.

The Foreign Ministry hoped regional and international partners would literally engage in helping Syria overcome the crisis through political ways.

Meanwhile, Russia is open to constructive dialogues with any party interested in settlement of Syrian crisis based on respect for Syria's sovereignty and independence, the ministry stressed.

The situation in Aleppo flared up last month, when government forces unleashed an offensive in the north of Aleppo, triggering a violent retaliation from the rebels.

The UN has been calling for a 48-hour truce to be set up to cater to the pressing needs of the two million people living in Aleppo.

The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura on Thursday iterated his intention to resume Syrian peace talks towards the end of August seeking to broker a political end to the five-year conflict.

The UN-mediated negotiations have been on hold since April this year. Enditem