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| Syria: cessation of hostilities 'within a week' agreed at Munich talks – live | Syria: cessation of hostilities 'within a week' agreed at Munich talks – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.10am GMT | |
| 03:10 | |
| Michael Safi | |
| Bob Bowker, a former Australian ambassador to Syria, Jordan and Egypt, said agreement appeared to spare groups such as Ahrar al-Sham, an opposition group he said was “essentially cloned from al-Qaida”: | |
| The reality is that no one in their right minds would wish to see al-Qaida-linked or originated elements succeed in Syria. To the extent that the Russians degrade the capabilities of those elements, that’s in everyone’s long-term benefit. | |
| Bowker said any deal “that enables the establishment of local ceasefires and freer access for humanitarian relief purposes has to be welcomed”: | |
| It’s also important that the Russians and Americans are able to identify the need for a negotiating process to continue, even though the military actions that are being undertaken by the Russians will not be wound back as far as the Americans would prefer. | |
| It’s certainly a positive to have a signal to the contending parties that the Russians and Americans are seeking to limit the intensity of the conflict. | |
| But he said much larger questions were still to be answered: | |
| The obvious question is what exactly will be the status of president Assad, in the aftermath of a cessation of hostilities; what political process would follow from that, and who would be in a position to monitor and guarantee the outcomes of that political process? | |
| I don’t think that those issues have been resolved by the Russians and the Americans at this juncture. | |
| 2.47am GMT | |
| 02:47 | |
| What happens next? | |
| The deal announced in Munich aims to see a cessation of hostilities “within a week”. | |
| How will that pan out? Here is a (very tentative) timetable, beginning with a working group to discuss humanitarian access meeting in Geneva on Friday. | |
| Halting violence | |
| US secretary of state John Kerry said a UN task force, co-chaired by Russia and the US, would work over the coming week “to develop the modalities for a long-term, comprehensive and durable cessation of violence”. | |
| Humanitarian response | |
| Another task force will oversee the delivery of aid, including pressure on Syria to open routes, since only around a dozen of 116 previous UN access requests have been granted. | |
| “Sustained delivery will begin this week, first to the areas where it is most urgently needed … and then to all the people in need throughout the country, particularly in the besieged and hard to reach areas,” said Kerry. | |
| “This working group will meet tomorrow in Geneva,” said Kerry. “It will report weekly on progress, or lack thereof, to ensure consistent and timely and approved access moving forward.” | |
| Future talks | |
| Kerry said talks between rebels and the regime would resume as soon as possible. | |
| 2.27am GMT | 2.27am GMT |
| 02:27 | 02:27 |
| Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia would not stop airstrikes within Syria, saying the cessation of hostilities did not apply to its attacks on Islamic State and al Nusrah: | Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia would not stop airstrikes within Syria, saying the cessation of hostilities did not apply to its attacks on Islamic State and al Nusrah: |
| Our airspace forces will continue working against these organisations. | Our airspace forces will continue working against these organisations. |
| Reuters cites a senior – but unnamed – French diplomat saying: | Reuters cites a senior – but unnamed – French diplomat saying: |
| The Russians said they will continue bombing the terrorists. They are taking a political risk because they are accepting a negotiation in which they are committing to a cessation of hostilities. | The Russians said they will continue bombing the terrorists. They are taking a political risk because they are accepting a negotiation in which they are committing to a cessation of hostilities. |
| If in a week there is no change because of their bombing, then they will bear the responsibility. | If in a week there is no change because of their bombing, then they will bear the responsibility. |
| 2.11am GMT | 2.11am GMT |
| 02:11 | 02:11 |
| Michael Safi | Michael Safi |
| Expect to see further choking of rebel supply routes into Aleppo by Russian and Syrian forces in the week before this agreement comes into effect, says Rodger Shanahan, a Middle East specialist at the Australian National University. | Expect to see further choking of rebel supply routes into Aleppo by Russian and Syrian forces in the week before this agreement comes into effect, says Rodger Shanahan, a Middle East specialist at the Australian National University. |
| Assad’s forces will be looking to “continue to restrict the freedom of action for the opposition forces, in terms of accessing resupplies from Turkey, focused on Aleppo”, he says. | Assad’s forces will be looking to “continue to restrict the freedom of action for the opposition forces, in terms of accessing resupplies from Turkey, focused on Aleppo”, he says. |
| The agreement announced on Friday, a cessation of hostilities, includes greater humanitarian access, but does not require parties to allow supplies through their lines. | The agreement announced on Friday, a cessation of hostilities, includes greater humanitarian access, but does not require parties to allow supplies through their lines. |
| So Syrian and Russian forces will still be able to “squeeze” rebel-held parts of the Aleppo district, and the city itself. | So Syrian and Russian forces will still be able to “squeeze” rebel-held parts of the Aleppo district, and the city itself. |
| 1.58am GMT | 1.58am GMT |
| 01:58 | 01:58 |
| The apparent breakthrough came just hours after a report by the Syrian Centre for Policy Research said a staggering 11.5% of Syria’s population had been killed or injured since the conflict erupted in March 2011. | The apparent breakthrough came just hours after a report by the Syrian Centre for Policy Research said a staggering 11.5% of Syria’s population had been killed or injured since the conflict erupted in March 2011. |
| The report said 470,000 had died – the majority (around 400,000) as a direct result of violence. A further 70,000 deaths were attributed to a lack of health services, medicine, food, clean water, sanitation and housing. | The report said 470,000 had died – the majority (around 400,000) as a direct result of violence. A further 70,000 deaths were attributed to a lack of health services, medicine, food, clean water, sanitation and housing. |
| The mortality rate in Syria in 2010 was 4.4 per thousand. | The mortality rate in Syria in 2010 was 4.4 per thousand. |
| In 2015, it was 10.9 per thousand. | In 2015, it was 10.9 per thousand. |
| Related: Report on Syria conflict finds 11.5% of population killed or injured | Related: Report on Syria conflict finds 11.5% of population killed or injured |
| 1.46am GMT | 1.46am GMT |
| 01:46 | 01:46 |
| Ceasefire or cessation? | Ceasefire or cessation? |
| Michael Safi | Michael Safi |
| The difference between a ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities is subtle but meaningful. | The difference between a ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities is subtle but meaningful. |
| A cessation of hostilities, which is what has been announced for Syria, is a temporary halt in violence, freezing positions on the battlefield. It can be the first step in a peace process but is non-binding. | A cessation of hostilities, which is what has been announced for Syria, is a temporary halt in violence, freezing positions on the battlefield. It can be the first step in a peace process but is non-binding. |
| A ceasefire is usually declared as part of a larger peace process or negotiated settlement, and can involve the deployment of UN observers, the possible establishment of demilitarised zones, and usually a ban on building up military forces along front lines. | A ceasefire is usually declared as part of a larger peace process or negotiated settlement, and can involve the deployment of UN observers, the possible establishment of demilitarised zones, and usually a ban on building up military forces along front lines. |
| It is a step higher in the process towards peace, and can be followed by a pre-negotiation agreement – something that still looks far off for Syria. | It is a step higher in the process towards peace, and can be followed by a pre-negotiation agreement – something that still looks far off for Syria. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.48am GMT | at 1.48am GMT |
| 1.38am GMT | 1.38am GMT |
| 01:38 | 01:38 |
| The Guardian’s Middle East editor, Ian Black, sets out some of the hurdles between the deal and its implementation: | The Guardian’s Middle East editor, Ian Black, sets out some of the hurdles between the deal and its implementation: |
| Related: Partial Syria ceasefire agreed at Munich talks | Related: Partial Syria ceasefire agreed at Munich talks |
| 1.28am GMT | 1.28am GMT |
| 01:28 | 01:28 |
| Michael Safi | Michael Safi |
| Rodger Shanahan, from the Australian National University, notes the cessation of hostilities does not apply to Jabhat al-Nusra, which has formed coalitions with other militia – Islamist and secular – involved in the Syrian conflict.Those groups, particularly if they haven’t formally disengaged with the al-Qaida affiliate, will likely be “fair game”, he says: | Rodger Shanahan, from the Australian National University, notes the cessation of hostilities does not apply to Jabhat al-Nusra, which has formed coalitions with other militia – Islamist and secular – involved in the Syrian conflict.Those groups, particularly if they haven’t formally disengaged with the al-Qaida affiliate, will likely be “fair game”, he says: |
| Jabhat al-Nusra is a bit more dispersed than Islamic State. You could still be legitimately targeting Jabhat al-Nusra and other groups could be killed as a result. | Jabhat al-Nusra is a bit more dispersed than Islamic State. You could still be legitimately targeting Jabhat al-Nusra and other groups could be killed as a result. |
| 1.18am GMT | 1.18am GMT |
| 01:18 | 01:18 |
| The UK foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, has welcomed the agreement, calling it an “important step” to ending Syria’s civil war, but warned it would succeed only if Russia ceased bombing moderate opposition groups: | The UK foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, has welcomed the agreement, calling it an “important step” to ending Syria’s civil war, but warned it would succeed only if Russia ceased bombing moderate opposition groups: |
| If implemented fully and properly by every ISSG member, this will be an important step towards relieving the killing and suffering in Syria. | If implemented fully and properly by every ISSG member, this will be an important step towards relieving the killing and suffering in Syria. |
| But it will only succeed if there is a major change of behaviour by the Syrian regime and its supporters. | But it will only succeed if there is a major change of behaviour by the Syrian regime and its supporters. |
| Russia, in particular, claims to be attacking terrorist groups and yet consistently bombs non-extremist groups including civilians. | Russia, in particular, claims to be attacking terrorist groups and yet consistently bombs non-extremist groups including civilians. |
| If this agreement is to work, this bombing will have to stop: no cessation of hostilities will last if moderate opposition groups continue to be targeted. | If this agreement is to work, this bombing will have to stop: no cessation of hostilities will last if moderate opposition groups continue to be targeted. |
| Hammond has been increasingly critical of Russian interference, earlier this month accusing Vladimir Putin of undermining international efforts in Syria by bombing opponents of Isis to bolster Assad: | Hammond has been increasingly critical of Russian interference, earlier this month accusing Vladimir Putin of undermining international efforts in Syria by bombing opponents of Isis to bolster Assad: |
| Related: Putin is strengthening Isis in Syria, says UK foreign secretary | Related: Putin is strengthening Isis in Syria, says UK foreign secretary |
| 1.06am GMT | 1.06am GMT |
| 01:06 | 01:06 |
| Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov told the press conference in Munich that his country’s air force would continue its airstrikes against Isis and al-Nusra targets in Syria – as the agreement permits. | Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov told the press conference in Munich that his country’s air force would continue its airstrikes against Isis and al-Nusra targets in Syria – as the agreement permits. |
| Russia had earlier proposed a 1 March ceasefire date, but the US said it wanted an immediate halt to fighting. | Russia had earlier proposed a 1 March ceasefire date, but the US said it wanted an immediate halt to fighting. |
| Ahead of Thursday night’s announcement, the US had accused Russia of exacerbating the conflict with military strikes in support of Assad. | Ahead of Thursday night’s announcement, the US had accused Russia of exacerbating the conflict with military strikes in support of Assad. |
| State department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters: | State department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters: |
| It has been Russian support for the Assad regime over the past months, and most recently in the siege on Aleppo, that has exacerbated, intensified the conflict. | It has been Russian support for the Assad regime over the past months, and most recently in the siege on Aleppo, that has exacerbated, intensified the conflict. |
| 12.55am GMT | 12.55am GMT |
| 00:55 | 00:55 |
| 'Cessation of hostilities': what the agreement says | '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. | 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 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 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 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 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.50am GMT | at 1.50am GMT |
| 12.48am GMT | 12.48am GMT |
| 00:48 | 00:48 |
| “Our belief is there will never be peace in Syria while President Assad is there. Others think differently,” John Kerry said. | “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 | .@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 | 12.44am GMT |
| 00:44 | 00:44 |
| Ian Black | 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. | 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. | “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. | “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. | “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.” | “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 | 12.40am GMT |
| 00:40 | 00:40 |
| The full text of the agreement can be read here. | The full text of the agreement can be read here. |
| It begins: | 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. | 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.50am GMT | at 1.50am GMT |
| 12.37am GMT | 12.37am GMT |
| 00:37 | 00:37 |
| A cautious welcome to the news from the main Syrian opposition bloc. | A cautious welcome to the news from the main Syrian opposition bloc. |
| Salem Al Meslet, spokesman for the High Negotiating Commission (HNC), said: | 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 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. | We must see action on the ground and if we see action and implementation we will see you soon in Geneva. |
| 12.30am GMT | 12.30am GMT |
| 00:30 | 00:30 |
| Latest round-up | Latest round-up |
| Ian Black | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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”. | 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. | 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). | “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.” | 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 | 12.27am GMT |
| 00:27 | 00:27 |
| The terms of the agreement thrashed out in Munich will of course be pored over in the coming hours. | 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. | 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”. | 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. | The distinction between the two is unclear, but we will clarify this as soon as we can. |
| 12.25am GMT | 12.25am GMT |
| 00:25 | 00:25 |
| 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 GMT | 12.21am GMT |
| 00:21 | 00:21 |
| 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 efforts | Related: Key players' conflicting views undermine Syria peace efforts |
| 12.17am GMT | 12.17am GMT |
| 00:17 | 00:17 |
| 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 GMT | 12.13am GMT |
| 00:13 | 00:13 |
| 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 GMT | 12.10am GMT |
| 00:10 | 00:10 |
| Opening summary | Opening summary |
| Claire Phipps | Claire 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.14am GMT | at 12.14am GMT |