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Conflict in Syria

Lavrov asserts details on Syria’s southern de-escalation zone in final stages

The details are being finalized on how it will operate, according to Sergey Lavrov

© AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. Work on the southern de-escalation zone in Syria will be completed in the near future, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.

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"I believe the experience of establishing the southern de-escalation zone with the participation of Russia, the US and Jordan, which is being implemented right before our eyes, is the best confirmation of the fact when we deal with specific matters rather than speculations, we can achieve good results," Lavrov noted.

"The process of establishing the zone continues, the main parameters have already been agreed. The details are being finalized on how it will operate to ensure control over compliance with the cessation of hostilities by the government troops and the armed opposition, to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access and civilians’ movement to and from this zone," he said. "I believe this work will be completed in the immediate future."

After the Russian-US summit held in Hamburg on July 7, it was announced that a de-escalation zone would be set up in southwestern Syria - in Daraa, Quneitra and As Suwayda.

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