All news

Lavrov, Kerry call for observing truce in Syria

Ministers also took up other pressing international problems like the situation in Azerbaijan's most Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh and developments in the Middle East
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Mikhail Metzel/TASS
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, May 2. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday discussed peace settlement and observance of ceasefire in Syria with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the Foreign Ministry in Moscow said.

The conversation took place pending Washington's request.

"Both ministers continued discussing the prospects for settlement and urged the parties to the conflict to observe ceasefire," the ministry said in a report. "Also, they coordinated further steps as co-chairpersons of the Syria International Support Group, including preparations for its yet another meeting."

Lavrov and Kerry also took up other pressing international problems like the situation in Azerbaijan's most Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh and developments in the Middle East.

Ceasefire took effect in Syria on February 27. It does not embrace Jabhat al-Nousra and the Islamic State (Daesh) terrorist groupings.

An interim 'tranquility period' was declared in the suburbs of Damascus and in Latakia Governorate as of 00:00 hours on April 30 following an arrangement made by Russian and U.S. representatives. In Latakia, it was declared for 72 hours and in Damascus, for 24 hours.

Later on, the tranquility period in the suburbs of Damascus was extended for another 24 hours, during which any combat actions and the use of all types of weaponry are strictly forbidden.