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Syria civil war: World powers agree 'cessation of hostilities' and expansion of humanitarian aid Syria civil war: World powers agree 'cessation of hostilities' in a week's time
(about 5 hours later)
The people of Syria have been handed a glimmer of hope after world powers agrred to seek a nationawide “cessation of hostilities” within a week. The people of Syria have been handed a glimmer of hope after world powers agreed to seek a nationwide “cessation of hostilities” within a week.
US Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters in Munich that Syrian peace negotiations should resume in Geneva as soon as possible. He said that the cessation in hostilities would not include Western operations against Isis and other miliant groups fighting in Syria.US Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters in Munich that Syrian peace negotiations should resume in Geneva as soon as possible. He said that the cessation in hostilities would not include Western operations against Isis and other miliant groups fighting in Syria.
Mr Kerry said the ceasefire plan was ambitious” and said the real test would be whether the parties honoured the commitments. Mr Kerry said the ceasefire plan was “ambitious” and said the real test would be whether the parties honoured the commitments.
America's top diplomat, flanked by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and UN envoy Staffan de Mistura, acknowledged that the meeting produced commitments on paper only. He and Mr Lavrov agreed that the “real test” will be whether all parties to the Syrian conflict honor those commitments.America's top diplomat, flanked by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and UN envoy Staffan de Mistura, acknowledged that the meeting produced commitments on paper only. He and Mr Lavrov agreed that the “real test” will be whether all parties to the Syrian conflict honor those commitments.
“What we have here are words on paper, what we need to see in the next few days are actions on the ground,” he said.“What we have here are words on paper, what we need to see in the next few days are actions on the ground,” he said.
A UN task force will be set up to ensure humanitarian access is granted to all sides, Mr Kerry added. He also said the powers had agreed to immediately accelerate and expand the delivery of humanitarian aid.A UN task force will be set up to ensure humanitarian access is granted to all sides, Mr Kerry added. He also said the powers had agreed to immediately accelerate and expand the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Mr Lavrov said there were “reasons to hope we have done a great job today”.Mr Lavrov said there were “reasons to hope we have done a great job today”.
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said a cessation of hostilities in Syria could only succeed if Russia stops air strikes supporting Syrian government forces' advance against the opposition.British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said a cessation of hostilities in Syria could only succeed if Russia stops air strikes supporting Syrian government forces' advance against the opposition.
“If implemented fully and properly... , this (deal) will be an important step towards relieving the killing and suffering in Syria,” Mr Hammond said in a statement.“If implemented fully and properly... , this (deal) will be an important step towards relieving the killing and suffering in Syria,” Mr Hammond said in a statement.
“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. 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.” “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. 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.” 
The announcement comes as the Syrian army, backed by Russian air strikes, made further advances in Aleppo province. The move threatens to encircle tens of thousands of civilians in rebel-held parts of the major city of Aleppo.The announcement comes as the Syrian army, backed by Russian air strikes, made further advances in Aleppo province. The move threatens to encircle tens of thousands of civilians in rebel-held parts of the major city of Aleppo.
At the press conference Mr Kerry again suggested that Russian strikes were targeting opposition forces, rather than mililiants, as Moscow says.At the press conference Mr Kerry again suggested that Russian strikes were targeting opposition forces, rather than mililiants, as Moscow says.
One Western diplomatic source told Reuters: "We did not get a deal on the immediate end of Russian bombings, but we have a commitment to a process that if it works would change the situation.”One Western diplomatic source told Reuters: "We did not get a deal on the immediate end of Russian bombings, but we have a commitment to a process that if it works would change the situation.”
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday raised the spectre of an interminable conflict or even a world war if powers failed to negotiate an end to the fighting in Syria, which has killed 250,000 people, caused a refugee crisis and empowered Islamic State militants.Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday raised the spectre of an interminable conflict or even a world war if powers failed to negotiate an end to the fighting in Syria, which has killed 250,000 people, caused a refugee crisis and empowered Islamic State militants.
The first peace talks in two years between belligerents in Syria collapsed last week before they began in the face an the offensive by President Bashar al-Assad's forces, one of the biggest and most consequential of the five-year war. The first peace talks in two years between belligerents in Syria collapsed last week before they began in the face an the offensive by President Bashar al-Assad's forces, one of the biggest and most consequential of the five-year war. 
As Mr Kerry met with the Syria group in Munich, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter was in Brussels to rally fresh support for the fight against the Islamic State group in largely the same territory. As Mr Kerry met with the Syria group in Munich, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter was in Brussels to rally fresh support for the fight against the Islamic State group in largely the same territory. 
Mr Carter said defense ministers from more than two dozen countries gave a “broad endorsement” of a refined US plan for defeating Isis. After a meeting at NATO headquarters, Mr Carter told reporters that nearly all participants either promised new military commitments or said their governments would consider new contributions. He predicted “tangible gains” in Iraq and Syria by March. Mr Carter said defense ministers from more than two dozen countries gave a “broad endorsement” of a refined US plan for defeating Isis. After a meeting at NATO headquarters, Mr Carter told reporters that nearly all participants either promised new military commitments or said their governments would consider new contributions. He predicted “tangible gains” in Iraq and Syria by March. 
“We will all look back after victory and remember who participated in the fight,” he said, appealing to coalition partners to expand and deepen their military contributions.“We will all look back after victory and remember who participated in the fight,” he said, appealing to coalition partners to expand and deepen their military contributions.
  
Statement of the International Syria Support Group: Statement of the International Syria Support Group: 
Meeting in Munich on February 11 & 12, 2016, as the Meeting in Munich on February 11 & 12, 2016, as the 
International Syria Support Group (ISSG), the Arab League, International Syria Support Group (ISSG), the Arab League, 
China, Egypt, the EU, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, China, Egypt, the EU, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, 
Jordan, Lebanon, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Oman, 
Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the 
United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the United States United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the United States 
decided that humanitarian access will commence this week to decided that humanitarian access will commence this week to 
besieged areas, and an ISSG task force will within one week besieged areas, and an ISSG task force will within one week 
elaborate modalities for a nationwide cessation of hostilities. elaborate modalities for a nationwide cessation of hostilities. 
The ISSG members unanimously committed to immediately The ISSG members unanimously committed to immediately 
facilitate the full implementation of the UN Security Council facilitate the full implementation of the UN Security Council 
Resolution 2254, adopted unanimously December 18, 2015. The ISSG Resolution 2254, adopted unanimously December 18, 2015. The ISSG 
reaffirmed their readiness to carry out all commitments set reaffirmed their readiness to carry out all commitments set 
forth in the resolution, including to: ensure a Syrian-led and forth in the resolution, including to: ensure a Syrian-led and 
Syrian-owned political transition based on the Geneva Communiqué Syrian-owned political transition based on the Geneva Communiqué 
in its entirety; press for the end of any indiscriminate use of in its entirety; press for the end of any indiscriminate use of 
weapons; support and accelerate the agreement and implementation weapons; support and accelerate the agreement and implementation 
of a nationwide ceasefire; facilitate immediate humanitarian of a nationwide ceasefire; facilitate immediate humanitarian 
access to besieged and hard-to-reach areas and the release of access to besieged and hard-to-reach areas and the release of 
any arbitrarily detained persons; and fight terrorism. any arbitrarily detained persons; and fight terrorism. 
Ensuring Humanitarian Access Ensuring Humanitarian Access 
In order to accelerate the urgent delivery of humanitarian In order to accelerate the urgent delivery of humanitarian 
aid, sustained delivery of assistance shall begin this week by aid, sustained delivery of assistance shall begin this week by 
air to Deir Ez Zour and simultaneously to Fouah, Kafrayah, the air to Deir Ez Zour and simultaneously to Fouah, Kafrayah, the 
besieged areas of Rural Damascus, Madaya, Mouadhimiyeh, and Kafr besieged areas of Rural Damascus, Madaya, Mouadhimiyeh, and Kafr 
Batna by land, and continue as long as humanitarian needs Batna by land, and continue as long as humanitarian needs 
persist. Humanitarian access to these most urgent areas will be persist. Humanitarian access to these most urgent areas will be 
a first step toward full, sustained, and unimpeded access a first step toward full, sustained, and unimpeded access 
throughout the country throughout the country 
The members of the ISSG will use their influence with all The members of the ISSG will use their influence with all 
parties on the ground to work together, in coordination with the parties on the ground to work together, in coordination with the 
United Nations, to ensure that all parties allow immediate and United Nations, to ensure that all parties allow immediate and 
sustained humanitarian access to reach all people in need, sustained humanitarian access to reach all people in need, 
throughout Syria, particularly in all besieged and hard-to-reach throughout Syria, particularly in all besieged and hard-to-reach 
areas, as called for in UNSCR 2254. To this end, the UN will areas, as called for in UNSCR 2254. To this end, the UN will 
submit a plan to an ISSG humanitarian task force, which shall submit a plan to an ISSG humanitarian task force, which shall 
convene on February 12 and next week. This group will comprise convene on February 12 and next week. This group will comprise 
the ISSG co-chairs, relevant UN entities and members of the ISSG the ISSG co-chairs, relevant UN entities and members of the ISSG 
with influence on the parties in a position to ensure with influence on the parties in a position to ensure 
humanitarian access. humanitarian access. 
The ISSG reaffirmed that humanitarian access should not The ISSG reaffirmed that humanitarian access should not 
benefit any particular group over any other, but shall be benefit any particular group over any other, but shall be 
granted by all sides to all people in need, in full compliance granted by all sides to all people in need, in full compliance 
with UNSCR 2254 and international humanitarian law. The ISSG with UNSCR 2254 and international humanitarian law. The ISSG 
asks the UN to report weekly, on behalf of the task force, on asks the UN to report weekly, on behalf of the task force, on 
progress on the implementation of the plan referenced above, so progress on the implementation of the plan referenced above, so 
that in any cases where access lags or approvals are lacking, that in any cases where access lags or approvals are lacking, 
relevant ISSG members will use their influence to press the relevant ISSG members will use their influence to press the 
requested party/parties to provide that approval. There will be requested party/parties to provide that approval. There will be 
a process for resolving any problems so that relief can flow a process for resolving any problems so that relief can flow 
expeditiously. Any questions about access or delivery will be expeditiously. Any questions about access or delivery will be 
resolved through the task force. resolved through the task force. 
All ISSG members commit to immediately work together with All ISSG members commit to immediately work together with 
the Syrian parties to ensure no delay in the granting of the Syrian parties to ensure no delay in the granting of 
approval and completion of all pending UN requests for access in approval and completion of all pending UN requests for access in 
accordance with UNSCR 2254, paragraph 12. accordance with UNSCR 2254, paragraph 12. 
ISSG co-chairs and members will ensure that aid convoys are ISSG co-chairs and members will ensure that aid convoys are 
used solely for humanitarian purposes. International used solely for humanitarian purposes. International 
humanitarian organizations, in particular the United Nations, humanitarian organizations, in particular the United Nations, 
will play the central role, as they engage the Syrian will play the central role, as they engage the Syrian 
government, the opposition and local populations, in arranging government, the opposition and local populations, in arranging 
the monitoring and sustained and uninterrupted distribution of the monitoring and sustained and uninterrupted distribution of 
aid. aid. 
Achieving a Nationwide Cessation of Hostilities Achieving a Nationwide Cessation of Hostilities 
The ISSG members agreed that a nationwide cessation of The ISSG members agreed that a nationwide cessation of 
hostilities must be urgently implemented, and should apply to hostilities must be urgently implemented, and should apply to 
any party currently engaged in military or paramilitary any party currently engaged in military or paramilitary 
hostilities against any other parties other than Daesh, Jabhat hostilities against any other parties other than Daesh, Jabhat 
al-Nusra, or other groups designated as terrorist organizations al-Nusra, or other groups designated as terrorist organizations 
by the United Nations Security Council. The ISSG members commit by the United Nations Security Council. The ISSG members commit 
to exercise influence for an immediate and significant reduction to exercise influence for an immediate and significant reduction 
in violence leading to the nationwide cessation of hostilities. in violence leading to the nationwide cessation of hostilities. 
The ISSG members decided to take immediate steps to secure The ISSG members decided to take immediate steps to secure 
the full support of all parties to the conflict for a cessation the full support of all parties to the conflict for a cessation 
of hostilities, and in furtherance of that have established an of hostilities, and in furtherance of that have established an 
ISSG ceasefire task force, under the auspices of the UN, ISSG ceasefire task force, under the auspices of the UN, 
co-chaired by Russia and the United States, and including co-chaired by Russia and the United States, and including 
political and military officials, with the participation of ISSG political and military officials, with the participation of ISSG 
members with influence on the armed opposition groups or forces members with influence on the armed opposition groups or forces 
fighting in support of the Syrian government. The UN shall serve fighting in support of the Syrian government. The UN shall serve 
as the secretariat of the ceasefire task force. The cessation as the secretariat of the ceasefire task force. The cessation 
of hostilities will commence in one week, after confirmation by of hostilities will commence in one week, after confirmation by 
the Syrian government and opposition, following appropriate the Syrian government and opposition, following appropriate 
consultations in Syria. During that week, the ISSG task force consultations in Syria. During that week, the ISSG task force 
will develop modalities for the cessation of hostilities. will develop modalities for the cessation of hostilities. 
The ISSG task force will, among other responsibilities The ISSG task force will, among other responsibilities 
continue to: a) delineate the territory held by Daesh, ANF and continue to: a) delineate the territory held by Daesh, ANF and 
other groups designated as terrorist organizations by the United other groups designated as terrorist organizations by the United 
Nations Security Council; b) ensure effective communications Nations Security Council; b) ensure effective communications 
among all parties to promote compliance and rapidly de-escalate among all parties to promote compliance and rapidly de-escalate 
tensions; c) resolve allegations of non-compliance; and d) refer tensions; c) resolve allegations of non-compliance; and d) refer 
persistent non-compliant behavior by any of the parties to ISSG persistent non-compliant behavior by any of the parties to ISSG 
Ministers, or those designated by the Ministers, to determine Ministers, or those designated by the Ministers, to determine 
appropriate action, including the exclusion of such parties from appropriate action, including the exclusion of such parties from 
the arrangements for the cessation of hostilities and the the arrangements for the cessation of hostilities and the 
protection it affords them. Although a cessation of hostilities protection it affords them. Although a cessation of hostilities 
can facilitate humanitarian access, it cannot be a precondition can facilitate humanitarian access, it cannot be a precondition 
for such access anywhere in Syria. for such access anywhere in Syria. 
The ISSG decided that all members will undertake their best The ISSG decided that all members will undertake their best 
efforts, in good faith, to sustain the cessation of hostilities efforts, in good faith, to sustain the cessation of hostilities 
and delivery of humanitarian assistance, and take measures to and delivery of humanitarian assistance, and take measures to 
stop any activities prohibited by United Nations Security stop any activities prohibited by United Nations Security 
Council Resolutions 2170, 2178, 2199, 2249, 2253, and 2254. The Council Resolutions 2170, 2178, 2199, 2249, 2253, and 2254. The 
ISSG again expressed concern for the plight of refugees and ISSG again expressed concern for the plight of refugees and 
internally displaced persons and the imperative of building internally displaced persons and the imperative of building 
conditions for their safe return in accordance with the norms of conditions for their safe return in accordance with the norms of 
international humanitarian law and taking into account the international humanitarian law and taking into account the 
interests of host countries. interests of host countries. 
Advancing a Political Transition Advancing a Political Transition 
The members of the ISSG reaffirmed the imperative of all The members of the ISSG reaffirmed the imperative of all 
sides engaging in negotiations under the auspices of the United sides engaging in negotiations under the auspices of the United 
Nations as soon as possible, in strict compliance with United Nations as soon as possible, in strict compliance with United 
Nations Security Council 2254. They reaffirmed that it is for Nations Security Council 2254. They reaffirmed that it is for 
the Syrian people to decide the future of Syria. The members of the Syrian people to decide the future of Syria. The members of 
the ISSG pledge to do all they can to facilitate rapid progress the ISSG pledge to do all they can to facilitate rapid progress 
in these negotiations, including the reaching of agreement in these negotiations, including the reaching of agreement 
within six months on a political transition plan that within six months on a political transition plan that 
establishes credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance and establishes credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance and 
sets a schedule and process for drafting a new constitution, sets a schedule and process for drafting a new constitution, 
free and fair elections, pursuant to the new constitution, to be free and fair elections, pursuant to the new constitution, to be 
held within 18 months and administered under supervision of the held within 18 months and administered under supervision of the 
United Nations, to the satisfaction of the governance and to the United Nations, to the satisfaction of the governance and to the 
highest international standards of transparency and highest international standards of transparency and 
accountability, with all Syrians, including members of the accountability, with all Syrians, including members of the 
diaspora, eligible to participate. diaspora, eligible to participate. 
Full implementation of these objectives will require the Full implementation of these objectives will require the 
ISSG co-chairs and members, the UN and others, to work closely ISSG co-chairs and members, the UN and others, to work closely 
on political, humanitarian, and military dimensions.“on political, humanitarian, and military dimensions.“