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Lavrov calls on Syrian parties to OK ceasefire parameters

MOSOCW, Feb 26 (KUNA) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday called on all parties in Syria to approve parameters of a ceasefire envisaged by a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution on a 30-day ceasefire in Syria.
Speaking at a joint news conference with his visiting Portuguese counterpart Augusto Santos Silva, Lavrov said UNSC Resolution 2401 could not be applied to terrorist groups, mainly the so-called Islamic State (IS) and Al-Nusra Front.
He added that the truce becomes effective, once warring parties reach an agreement on how to put it in place in all Syrian territories.
The Russian foreign minister criticized recent reports on the Syrian forces' use of chemical weapons in Eastern Ghouta as "provocative".
The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously adopted a draft resolution presented by Kuwait and Sweden to establish a 30-day humanitarian truce in Syria.
The resolution will pave way for the delivery of humanitarian aid for the areas under siege in Syria. (end) as.mt