US expects Syria truce in part is indefinite and spread to Aleppo – Terra Colombia

United States hoped now that the ceasefire of 72 hours just agreed with Russia in two areas of Syria becomes “undefined” and spreading “rapidly” to other areas where violence has increased, including Aleppo .

A senior US official, who requested anonymity, briefed reporters on the agreement with Russia, which seeks to revive the fragile truce that prevails in the Arab country since late February before increasing violence.

Under the agreement, the next midnight enter into force one total ceasefire for 72 hours in the northern Syrian province of Latakia and, according to the official, it shall also apply East Guta area, the main opposition stronghold on the outskirts of Damascus.

“We see this as a first step to do this in the rest of the country, including Aleppo, and we are talking to the Russians about the urgency” to extend to that city, said the official in a telephone press conference.

“This is like a test and we hope that it becomes indefinite” and not limited only to those 72 hours, the source added.

United States hopes that both the regime of Bashar al-Assad and the opposition “re-engage with the cessation of hostilities and comply” with the ceasefire agreed in those regions, he stressed the official said.

The agreement comes a day after the special UN envoy to Syria, Staffan De Mistura, asked Russia and the United States to intervene to resume the stalled dialogue between Damascus and opposition and support the fragile ceasefire in Syria, in which the two powers exercised guarantors.

According to the official, increasing violations of the ceasefire is something that US “I was discussing with Russia” before the call by the UN mediator and today the Secretary of State, John Kerry, he spoke on the phone to his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

“We have always said that the success of the negotiations (policies on the future of Syria) must have the proper environment and that includes a cessation of successful hostilities and humanitarian access impediments “said the source.

United States also wants to see soon a ministerial meeting of the countries forming the International Support Group for Syria, as De Mistura called, because it was this group which “created and allowed the cessation of hostilities “in Syria.

Following the agreement between Russia and the US, the Syrian Army announced it will begin reducing its activity in Eastern Guta for 24 hours starting at 01.00 local time (22.00 GMT) April 30 and 72 hours in northern Latakia.