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Syria ceasefire 'within a week' agreed at Munich talks – live Syria ceasefire 'within a week' agreed at Munich talks – live
(35 minutes later)
12.55am GMT
00:55
'Cessation of hostilities': what the agreement says
What precisely is meant by a “cessation of hostilities” and the extent of its effect will be the crux of the apparent deal.
The full text of the agreement sets it out as follows (I have highlighted some key elements):
The ISSG members agreed that a nationwide cessation of hostilities must be urgently implemented, and should apply to any party currently engaged in military or paramilitary hostilities against any other parties other than Daesh [Isis], Jabhat al-Nusra, or other groups designated as terrorist organisations by the United Nations security council.
The ISSG members commit to exercise influence for an immediate and significant reduction in violence leading to the nationwide cessation of hostilities.
The ISSG members decided to take immediate steps to secure the full support of all parties to the conflict for a cessation of hostilities, and in furtherance of that have established an ISSG ceasefire task force, under the auspices of the UN, co-chaired by Russia and the United States, and including political and military officials, with the participation of ISSG members with influence on the armed opposition groups or forces fighting in support of the Syrian government. The UN shall serve as the secretariat of the ceasefire task force.
The cessation of hostilities will commence in one week, after confirmation by the Syrian government and opposition, following appropriate consultations in Syria. During that week, the ISSG task force will develop modalities for the cessation of hostilities.
The ISSG task force will, among other responsibilities continue to: a) delineate the territory held by Daesh, ANF [Al Nusrah Front] and other groups designated as terrorist organisations by the United Nations security council; b) ensure effective communications among all parties to promote compliance and rapidly de-escalate tensions; c) resolve allegations of non-compliance; and d) refer persistent non-compliant behaviour by any of the parties to ISSG ministers, or those designated by the ministers, to determine appropriate action, including the exclusion of such parties from the arrangements for the cessation of hostilities and the protection it affords them.
Although a cessation of hostilities can facilitate humanitarian access, it cannot be a precondition for such access anywhere in Syria.
The ISSG decided that all members will undertake their best efforts, in good faith, to sustain the cessation of hostilities and delivery of humanitarian assistance, and take measures to stop any activities prohibited by United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2170, 2178, 2199, 2249, 2253, and 2254. The ISSG again expressed concern for the plight of refugees and internally displaced persons and the imperative of building conditions for their safe return in accordance with the norms of international humanitarian law and taking into account the interests of host countries.
12.48am GMT
00:48
“Our belief is there will never be peace in Syria while President Assad is there. Others think differently,” John Kerry said.
.@JohnKerry: We approach this w/ a uniform belief that the killing & starvation of innocent people needs to end as soon as possible. #Syria
12.44am GMT
00:44
Ian Black
Hours before the agreement was announced in Munich, veteran Syria watchers expressed scepticism over whether a genuine breakthrough would be achieved, or, if claimed, whether it would actually be implemented.
“The key question is whether the [Assad] regime will deliver land access to besieged areas,” said one diplomat.
“That remains in the regime’s, not Russian, hands. The proof will be in the doing.
“If the Russians stop blowing up civilians and we see movement on access it might open the way to a resumption of the talks in Geneva – on a comprehensive ceasefire and and a political transition in parallel.
“But the regime will likely make positive noises and then stop anything happening. The problem is that a Kerry-Lavrov agreement doesn’t involve any of the actors on the ground. We need the Syrians on board.”
12.40am GMT
00:40
The full text of the agreement can be read here.
It begins:
Meeting in Munich on February 11 & 12, 2016, as the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), the Arab League, China, Egypt, the EU, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the United States decided that humanitarian access will commence this week to besieged areas, and an ISSG task force will within one week elaborate modalities for a nationwide cessation of hostilities.
12.37am GMT
00:37
A cautious welcome to the news from the main Syrian opposition bloc.
Salem Al Meslet, spokesman for the High Negotiating Commission (HNC), said:
We welcome the efforts our friends making to bring relief to the Syrian people – and it must be all Syrians.
We must see action on the ground and if we see action and implementation we will see you soon in Geneva.
12.30am GMT
00:30
Latest round-up
Ian Black
Humanitarian aid is to be delivered to besieged areas across Syria in the next few days and a ceasefire is to come into force “within a week”, the US, Russia and other big powers announced late on Thursday at talks in Munich – galvanised by mounting international concern over the escalating war.
But there was no clear commitment to end Russian airstrikes.
John Kerry, the US secretary of state, said progress had been made towards implementing a nationwide “cessation of hostilities”, though it was not clear how this could happen unless Russia stops bombing mainstream rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad – as well as ordinary civilians.
Action against Islamic State would continue, he said.
Western diplomats confirmed that there had been no agreement by Moscow to immediately end airstrikes, a key demand of anti-Assad Syrian rebels who are likely to be highly sceptical about the results of the talks.
Kerry said a UN task force would “work to develop the modalities for a long term and durable cessation of violence”.
Aid deliveries are to begin by air to Deir Ez Zour and simultaneously to other besieged areas, including Madaya, Mouadhimiyeh, and Kafr Batna.
“Humanitarian access to these most urgent areas will be a first step toward full, sustained, and unimpeded access throughout the country,” said the communique issued by the International Syria Support Group (ISSG).
It added: “The cessation of hostilities will commence in one week, after confirmation by the Syrian government and opposition, following appropriate consultations in Syria. During that week, the ISSG task force will develop modalities for the cessation of hostilities.”
12.27am GMT
00:27
The terms of the agreement thrashed out in Munich will of course be pored over in the coming hours.
What exactly is meant by a ceasefire, or a cessation of hostilities, is central to this.
UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, in the press conference still taking place, said what had been agreed was “not [a] ceasefire, [but] a cessation of hostilities”.
The distinction between the two is unclear, but we will clarify this as soon as we can.
12.25am GMT12.25am GMT
00:2500:25
John Kerry is still speaking at the late-night press conference in Munich. He says the dual nature of the conflict – the war against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and the war against Islamic State – is “no small undertaking”:John Kerry is still speaking at the late-night press conference in Munich. He says the dual nature of the conflict – the war against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and the war against Islamic State – is “no small undertaking”:
This is still a very complicated conflict, with long-term implications, with increasing levels of violence, with increasing numbers of refugees, with increasing numbers of terrorists …This is still a very complicated conflict, with long-term implications, with increasing levels of violence, with increasing numbers of refugees, with increasing numbers of terrorists …
The more successful Assad is in securing territory agains the opposition, the more successful he is in creating more terrorists who threaten the region.The more successful Assad is in securing territory agains the opposition, the more successful he is in creating more terrorists who threaten the region.
12.21am GMT12.21am GMT
00:2100:21
The 17-member International Syria Support Group (ISSG) that has been meeting in Munich comprises supporters and opponents of Assad. Discussions have focused on a plan for halting fighting across Syria.The 17-member International Syria Support Group (ISSG) that has been meeting in Munich comprises supporters and opponents of Assad. Discussions have focused on a plan for halting fighting across Syria.
The focus on ending fighting and delivering aid was designed to ensure that UN-brokered peace talks, suspended last week, could resume in Geneva later this month.The focus on ending fighting and delivering aid was designed to ensure that UN-brokered peace talks, suspended last week, could resume in Geneva later this month.
Some essential background to this potential breakthrough here from the Guardian’s Middle East editor, Ian Black:Some essential background to this potential breakthrough here from the Guardian’s Middle East editor, Ian Black:
Related: Key players' conflicting views undermine Syria peace effortsRelated: Key players' conflicting views undermine Syria peace efforts
12.17am GMT12.17am GMT
00:1700:17
Reuters cites a Syrian opposition spokesperson saying that if there are “concrete results” in the coming days, they would return to Geneva for further peace talks.Reuters cites a Syrian opposition spokesperson saying that if there are “concrete results” in the coming days, they would return to Geneva for further peace talks.
12.13am GMT12.13am GMT
00:1300:13
Kerry said the talks in Munich had yielded positive results “on paper”, but the real test would come when all parties committed in reality to honour the commitments made.Kerry said the talks in Munich had yielded positive results “on paper”, but the real test would come when all parties committed in reality to honour the commitments made.
Germany’s foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the strength of the deal would not be immediately evident:Germany’s foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the strength of the deal would not be immediately evident:
We will only be able to see whether this was a breakthrough in a few days.We will only be able to see whether this was a breakthrough in a few days.
12.10am GMT12.10am GMT
00:1000:10
Opening summaryOpening summary
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
US secretary of state John Kerry and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov have announced that peace talks in Munich aimed at reaching resolution on the conflict in Syria have brokered a deal that could see a ceasefire “within a week”.US secretary of state John Kerry and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov have announced that peace talks in Munich aimed at reaching resolution on the conflict in Syria have brokered a deal that could see a ceasefire “within a week”.
Military action against Islamic State fighters would continue, but humanitarian access for civilians besieged by years of civil strife would be the key priority, they said.Military action against Islamic State fighters would continue, but humanitarian access for civilians besieged by years of civil strife would be the key priority, they said.
We will have latest updates here as the news continues to develop.We will have latest updates here as the news continues to develop.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.14am GMTat 12.14am GMT