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Syria conflict: Iran, Russia and Turkey 'to enforce' truce | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Iran, Russia and Turkey say they will jointly enforce a fragile three-week cessation of hostilities in Syria. | |
The announcement came after two days of peace talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana. | |
In a joint statement, the three countries said there was no military solution to the Syrian conflict. | |
It was not clear whether the Syrian government or the opposition backed the communique. Earlier, a rebel spokesman said "no agreements" would be signed. | |
More than 300,000 people have been killed and 11 million others displaced since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011. | More than 300,000 people have been killed and 11 million others displaced since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011. |
The "trilateral mechanism" was agreed between Russia and Iran, which back Mr Assad's government, and Turkey, which supports the opposition. | |
It would "observe and ensure full compliance with the ceasefire, prevent any provocation and determine all modalities", the statement said. | |
Earlier, however, the Guardian reported that rebel officials objected to Iran having a role because of its support of militia groups, which they accuse of repeatedly violating the cessation of hostilities. | |
Government negotiator Bashar Jaafari had accused rebel groups of violating the truce and defending "war crimes" by the allied jihadist group Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which is excluded from the ceasefire along with so-called Islamic State (IS). | |
The talks in Astana were the first where the opposition delegation was formed exclusively of representatives of armed groups. | |
Rebel spokesman Yahya al-Aridi had earlier said that his delegation would also push for the lifting of government sieges of opposition-held areas and "goodwill gestures", including the release of political detainees and aid deliveries. | |
He added that it was hoped the meeting would "contribute" to the UN-brokered negotiations on a political settlement that are due to resume in Geneva next month. | |
The negotiations in Geneva broke down last April with little progress having been made. | The negotiations in Geneva broke down last April with little progress having been made. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |