UN Envoy Calls for Urgent Measures to Uphold Syria Ceasefire

New York, 27 Jumadil Akhir 1438/26 March 2017 (MINA) – UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura voiced his deep concern over the recent escalation of fighting in the country, urging Iran, Russia and Turkey to undertake urgent efforts to uphold the ceasefire which has been in effect since late December last year, UN News reported.

“Growing violations in recent days are undermining the ceasefire regime addressed through the Astana meetings, with significant negative consequences for the safety of Syrian civilians, humanitarian access and the momentum of the political process,” said the UN envoy.

According to a note to correspondents issued on Saturday, de Mistura sent letters to the foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey and Iran – as the three guarantor-states of the ceasefire – to undertake urgent efforts to uphold it.

These appeals were also brought to the attention of Russia and the United States as the co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), the note added.

Also in the note, de Mistura noted that joint efforts of Iran, Russia and Turkey to guarantee the ceasefire “are indispensable for improving the conditions on the ground and contributing to an environment conducive for a productive political progress”.

The ceasefire came into effect on 30 December 2016, but recent fighting in capital Damascus, Hama and elsewhere in Syria have put it under strain.(T/R04/RS5)

Mi’raj Islamic News agency (MINA)