The UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura welcomed the cease-fire agreement which was reached on Thursday between the Syrian opposition and the Assad regime. De Mistura expressed hope that the Russian-Turkish brokered agreement will allow humanitarian access to civilians in need.
Washington commended the agreement, expressing hope that all parties will abide by its provisions. Spokesman for the US State Department Mark Toner on Friday said that the announcement of the ceasefire is a positive development, adding that the US welcomes every effort aimed at ending violence; saving lives; and the creation of appropriate conditions for the resumption of negotiations between the warring parties.
Chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, said that 2016 was a “tragic year for the civilian population” in Syria. He expressed optimism in the election and appointment of António Guterres as Secretary-General, calling it “a new element” in helping to end the Syrian conflict.
Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammad Bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani also welcomed the agreement, stressing the need for commitment by the Assad regime to abide by the agreement given its record of sabotaging all efforts aimed at reaching a political solution.
Jordanian government spokesman Mohammed Al-Momani expressed hope that the ceasefire agreement would lay the groundwork of a political solution needed to end the suffering the Syrian people have been going through for nearly six years.
The Syrian Coalition on Thursday expressed appreciation for efforts to reach a nationwide ceasefire in Syria, especially efforts made by Turkey.
The Coalition called on all parties to work to ensure the success of the ceasefire agreement and to abide by its terms, warning that Iran will attempt to undermine the agreement as it seeks to further escalate the violence in Syria.
The FSA groups will abide by the ceasefire agreement, but will reserve the right to respond to any violations by regime forces and the Iranian militias who violated all previous ceasefire agreements, the Coalition said.
The Coalition added: “The ceasefire is one of the main articles set out in the UN Security Council resolution 2254 (2015). The agreement is essential to ensuring the success of the political process, stopping the mass forced displacement, and the introduction of aid to besieged areas under the supervision of United Nations, including eastern and western Ghouta as well as Madaya, Wadi Barada valley in Rural Damascus, Alwaer district in Homs and all besieged areas across Syria.” (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Office + Agencies)
