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21:30 GMT
WASHINGTON, April 4 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke via phone to his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov Monday and stressed the need for the Syrian regime "to stop its violations of the Cessation (of Hostilities)," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner told reporters.
The fragile ceasefire, which was brokered by the US and Russia, went into effect on February 27, but does not apply to airstrikes launched by either country.
"We did see some reports over the weekend about some additional fighting between opposition and regime forces. Obviously, we're working and continue to work in Geneva and through other channels to just ensure continued compliance. So we're obviously concerned by those recent clashes," he said.
"What we have seen is that the (Bashar Al) Assad regime continues to be the biggest violator," he added.
Kerry also emphasized the need for "expanding and improving on humanitarian access" during the call, Toner said.
"That's something we want to see solidified, including access to medical supplies to all Syrians in need and the urgent need, obviously, for a progress toward a political transition in Syria," he noted.
Kerry and Lavrov also discussed the outbreak of heavy clashes over the weekend between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, Toner revealed.
Both nations were part of the Soviet Union before its collapse in the early 90s.
Kerry and Lavrov urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume settlement talks under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Toner said.
Nagorno-Karabakh has been under the control of Armenian forces since the end of the 1994 conflict. (end)
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