DAMASCUS, February 23: The Syrian government and the main opposition umbrella group on Tuesday say they accept the terms of a deal to cease hostilities from coming Saturday.
The government said it would halt “combat operations” in line with the plan announced by the US and Russia.
But the opposition said its acceptance depended on government forces ending sieges and air strikes of civilians.
The deal will not apply to the two main jihadist groups in Syria, Daesh (ISIS) and the rival al-Nusra Front.
Al-Nusra is an affiliate of al-Qaeda and forms part of a major rebel alliance.
The UN has conceded that enforcing the plan on the ground will be challenging.
More than 250,000 people have died in almost five years of war in Syria.
Eleven million others have fled their homes as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other, as well as ISIS militants.
Under the terms of the agreement announced by the US and Russia on Monday, the Syrian government and opposition were required to indicate by noon on Friday (10:00 GMT) whether they would comply with the cessation of hostilities.
The High Negotiation Committee (HNC), which represents most of the main opposition and rebel factions, issued a statement after a meeting in Saudi Arabia saying it was “committed to the success of the international efforts dedicated to ending Syrian bloodshed”.
But it warned that “acceptance of the truce is conditional” on the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2254, which calls on all parties to lift sieges, allow aid deliveries, halt aerial and artillery attacks on civilians, and release detainees.
HNC co-ordinator Riad Hijab said he did not expect President Assad, or his allies, to cease hostilities “due to the realisation that the regime’s survival depends on the continuation of its campaign of oppression, killing and forced displacement”.
On Tuesday, the Syrian government announced “its acceptance of a halt to combat operations on the basis of continuing military efforts to combat terrorism against Daesh [IS], al-Nusra Front, and the other organisations linked to it and al-Qaeda”.
The government added that it would work with Russia to identify areas and armed groups that would be included in the ceasefire and reserved the right to “respond to any breach by these groups against Syrian citizens or against its armed forces”.
It also stressed the importance of sealing Syria’s borders, halting foreign support for armed groups, and “preventing these organisations from strengthening their capabilities or changing their positions”.-Online
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