UN’s Ban Says Syrian Ceasefiire Mostly Holding
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the Syrian ceasefire is mostly being maintained despite recent incidents, and that the UN’s ceasefire task force will work to ensure that violence doesn’t spread further.
“I can tell you that by and large the cessation of hostilities is holding even though we have experienced some incidents,” Mr. Ban said in remarks to reporters in Geneva on Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported.
His comments came one day after a war of words between the Syrian government and Saudi Arabia, a key backer of the Syrian opposition, added to the rising tensions.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry said recent statements by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir were “lies meant to boost the morale” of militants who have suffered setbacks in Syria in recent weeks and demonstrate the kingdom’s “destructive role” in Syria.
The partial ceasefire—sponsored by the US and Russia—is meant to last for two weeks amid upcoming peace talks in Geneva on March 7.
It represents the biggest effort in years to calm violence in a war that has claimed more than 250,000 lives and displaced millions.