Lavrov, Kerry Welcome Syrian Ceasefire Entry Into Force

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US State Secretary John Kerry welcomed the entry into force of the cessation of hostilities in Syria, continued discussion of the modalities of its full implementation, according to the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed on Saturday with US State Secretary John Kerry the situation in Syria following the ceasefire in the conflict-torn country had come into effect, according to a statement on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website.

A ceasefire, agreed by Russia and the United States on Monday, came into effect overnight. The two main terrorist groups active in Syria, namely Islamic State and the Nusra Front, are not part of the arrangement.

"The heads of diplomacy welcomed the entry into force of the cessation of hostilities in Syria, continued discussion of the modalities of its full implementation, including the deepening of coordination in the military sphere between Russia and the United States on a systematic basis," the statement read.

The top diplomats also discussed the renewal of intra-Syrian peace talks with assistance from the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), confirming the significance of the US-Russia cooperation within ISSG.