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Conflict in Syria

Syrian Foreign Ministry blames US and its allies for starting war in Syria

According to the statement, the US should have made Turkey and Saudi Arabia "implement corresponding resolutions of UN Security Council and stop supporting terrorist gangs"

© SANA via AP, File

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US urges Turkey, Kurds to stop escalation in northern Syria

BEIRUT, February 24. /TASS/. The United States and its allies "bear responsibility for starting the conflict in Syria and continuing it," the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement said that US, as a permanent member of UN Security Council, should have made Turkey and Saudi Arabia "implement corresponding resolutions of UN Security Council and stop supporting terrorist gangs."

The foreign ministry also criticized statements made by US State Secretary John Kerry at US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday. "Damascus condemns such statements that do not reflect reality and represent an attempt to hide (Washington’s) responsibility for the current situation in Syria that emerged as a result of crimes committed by terrorist groups," the ministry said.

"The aspirations of Syria and its people are focused on the soonest end of the conflict and restoration of stability and security on the Syrian territory," the foreign ministry noted. "Now, like never before, Syrians are ready to defeat terrorists, preserve the unity and sovereignty of their country and make an independent decision," the statement added.

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US State Secretary John Kerry said on Tuesday that Washington and its foreign allies and partners are actively discussing alternative options if ceasefire in Syria is not implemented and political process in the country is not launched. "There is a significant discussion taking place now about a Plan B in the event that we do not succeed at the (negotiating) table," Kerry said. "It may be too late to keep it as a whole Syria if we wait much longer," he added.

Cessation of hostilities is due to come into force in Syria on February 27, a joint statement of the United States and Russia said on Monday. "The cessation of hostilities commence at 00:00 (Damascus time) on February 27, 2016," the joint statement said.

"The United States of America and the Russian Federation, as co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and seeking to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis with full respect for the fundamental role of the United Nations, are fully determined to provide their strongest support to end the Syrian conflict and establish conditions for a successful Syrian-led political transition process, facilitated by the UN," it said.

The statement points out that the cessation of hostilities is to be applied to all parties to the Syrian conflict but for Daesh (the Arabic acronym for Islamic State) and Jebhat an-Nusra (both are banned in Russia) "or other terrorist organizations designated by the UN Security Council.".

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