Syria ready to cooperate in framework of UN SC resolutions — presidential advisor

BEIRUT, December 24. /TASS/. Damascus welcomes the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 that confirms the Syrian people’s right to decide their own future, Syrian presidential advisor Bouthaina Shaaban told Al Mayadeen TV channel on Thursday.

"This is a very important thing to us because the aim of the war unleashed against Syria was to establish control over it," SANA news agency quoted Shaaban as saying.

"We do not consider [Un Security Council] Resolution 2254 as good or bad. This is the decision of the international community, and it does not arise concern from us," Shaaban said. "We are ready to cooperate in accordance with this resolution but we will make an independent decision at negotiations," she added.

The UN Security Council Resolution 2254 adopted on December 18 in support of the Vienna agreements on the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Syria envisages participation of the Syrian opposition and representatives of government in the talks that are due to start in January 2016. The final goals of negotiations are defined as establishing the transitional government, adopting a constitution and holding snap election in the next 18 months.

Talking about UN SC Resolution 2253 that calls for closing all sources of financing to terrorist groups, Shaaban said it is "in full compliance with Damascus’ demands." "This document that was unanimously adopted envisages closing the Turkish border which deals a blow to Saudi Arabia and Turkey - main sponsors of gangs. They will have to comply with this decision," the presidential advisor noted.

Russian-US agreement on ceasefire in Syria step toward settling crisis

The Russian-US agreement on ceasefire in Syria will become a step toward settlement in the country. Syrian presidential adviser Bouthaina Shaaban told the Valdai discussion club on Wednesday.

"I hope the agreement will become a step toward resolution of the crisis," Shaaban said. "The President of Russia and Syria have confirmed the importance of this statement today," she added.

Damascus immediately welcome the agreement between Russia and United States, she went on. "But the opposition is always saying ‘what if Damascus does this, what is Damascus does that’," the advisor said "Dialogue should be started at first, issues should be discussed, and no preconditions should be set," she noted.

The election in Syria scheduled for April 13 will be held in accordance with the country’s constitution, she added.

Russian-US agreement on ceasefire in Syria

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."