International News

France seeks ‘urgent’ implementation of Syria ceasefire: minister

KIEV, (APP/AFP) – French Foreign
Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Monday said his government would be “very vigilant” as the United States and Russia announced a ceasefire in Syria planned to come into force on February 27.
“An agreement has been reached. We are examining the details. There
is an urgent need for its implementation. We will be very vigilant over its
implementation in good faith by all the sides,” Ayrault, who is visiting Kiev, said in a statement to AFP.
“France has constantly called for an end to the bombardments — first
to prevent further massacres of civilians, then to allow for the access of
humanitarian aid, and finally because it is a necessary condition for the
resumptions of negotiations on a political transition,” he added.
Russia and the United States said in a joint statement that the
planned truce — which does not cover the main jihadist factions — would come into force at midnight Damascus time on Saturday (2200 GMT Friday).