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              Assad: Syria Ready to Help Implement Cease-fire Plan

   by VOA News

   Syrian President Bashar al-Assad confirmed to his Russian counterpart
   Vladimir Putin that Syria is ready to help implement a cease-fire
   planned to begin on Saturday.

   The two leaders spoke by telephone Wednesday and highlighted the
   importance of continuing to fight terror groups such as Islamic State
   and Jabhat al-Nusra.  The militants are not part of a U.S.-Russian
   proposal for a cessation of hostilities.  Other groups are supposed to
   say by Friday whether they are taking part.

   The main opposition High Negotiations Committee has said its
   participation is contingent on the delivery of humanitarian aid and the
   end of sieges and airstrikes against civilians.

   ''

   Russia's Interfax news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Dmitry
   Peskov saying the cease-fire is the government's main focus in Syria
   and that it is premature to talk about any backup plan.

   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called the cease-fire the best way
   to try to end the five-year war in Syria.  But he told lawmakers at a
   Senate hearing Tuesday there is no guarantee that a halt in fighting
   would lead to positive steps in the larger goal of bringing a political
   resolution to the crisis.

   Kerry also responded to questions about what happens if the cease-fire
   is violated by saying there will not be impunity.

   "There is significant discussion taking place now about Plan B if we
   don't succeed at the table," said Kerry.
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   ease-fire-plan/3204528.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/assad-syria-ready-to-help-implement-cease-fire-plan/3204528.html