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Conflict in Syria

Situation in Syria gives grounds for cautious optimism — Lavrov

The formation of four de-escalation zones in the country was finalized at the latest international meeting in Astana

© Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

MOSCOW, September 21. /TASS/. The current developments in Syria give grounds for cautious optimism, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly.

"The development of the situation in Syria gives grounds for cautious optimism," he said, adding that the formation of four de-escalation zones in Syria was finalized at the international meeting on Syria that was held in Astana on September 14-15. Agreements on these zones were reached with the participation of Russia, Iran, Turkey, the United States, Jordan, the United Nations with support from many other countries.

According to Lavrov, these agreements "have created conditions for further progress towards the implementation of Resolution 2254 on the basis of direct dialogue between the government and the opposition aimed at joining their efforts to eliminate as soon as possible the terrorist hotbed and restore peace all over the country, and its unity, and resolve acute humanitarian problems."

The Russian foreign minister named the increase of humanitarian aid supplies and efforts to demine the liberated territories among the most important tasks in Syria.

"We are convinced that all those who sincerely wish peace to Syria and its people must join their efforts in this process under the leadership of the UN, and without any preconditions," Lavrov said.

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Syrian conflict

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