LOC22:44
19:44 GMT
WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday said he is "gratified" that talks toward what he called a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria have been completed.
In a statement, Kerry hailed the agreement as a "moment of promise" for Syria, and said the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) "worked diligently" and showed "committed diplomacy."
The ISSG is made up of the Arab League, China, Egypt, the European Union, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the United States.
Last week, the Department of State indicated that a cessation of hostilities is not the same as an all-out ceasefire.
"If implemented and adhered to, this cessation will not only lead to a decline in violence, but also continue to expand the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian supplies to besieged areas and support a political transition to a government that is responsive to the desires of the Syrian people," Kerry said Monday.
"Over the coming days, we will be working to secure commitments from key parties that they will abide by the terms of this cessation of hostilities and further develop modalities for monitoring and enforcement," he added.
"All parties must meet their commitments under this agreement, ensure full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and cease attacks on each other, including aerial bombardments. And all parties must remain committed over a period of time to make possible a political end to this conflict," he concluded.
Resolution 2254, adopted in December, outlines a road map for a political transition in Syria, and states that only the Syrian people will choose how Syria will be governed. (end)
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