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Moscow says Nusra Front will face 'unpleasant consequences' if they do not leave Aleppo

Churkin said that it was very important for the states, which could influence the armed opposition, to step up efforts in a bid to separate moderate armed units from terrorist groups
Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin AP Photo/John Minchillo
Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin
© AP Photo/John Minchillo

UNITED NATIONS, October 19 /TASS/. Russia has urged the United Nations Security Council to adopt a press statement on the need to separate terrorists from moderate opposition units in Syria, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin told journalists on Tuesday.

He said that on Tuesday Russia announced that the Russian and Syrian Air Forces would suspend all air strikes at Aleppo. Churkin said that under the current circumstances it was very important for the states, which could influence the armed opposition, to step up efforts in a bid to separate moderate armed units from terrorist groups, which are on the United Nations Security Council sanctions list.

"We firmly insist that all the parties in conflict stop fighting together with them. They should separate themselves from them and officially put their signatures under a ceasefire document. We have prepared a draft statement to this effect. Hopefully, it will be adopted by the Council’s members," the diplomat said noting that some countries could need additional time for considering the Russian initiative.

Churkin also warned that militants from the Jabhat al-Nusra Front (a terrorist group, which is banned in Russia) would face "unpleasant consequences" if they did not leave East Aleppo.