US-Russia Freeze on Syria Truce Cooperation ‘Serious Setback’ – De Mistura

The US decision to suspend Syria cooperation with Russia was a serious setback to attempts to end fighting in the Arab country, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura told reporters Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Moscow and Washington are co-chairing a ceasefire task force with the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), an international body that was set up as a contact group of over 20 countries on the Syrian conflict.

"What has happened the other day, when two co-chairs who have been working hard…on a possible cessation of hostilities based on the September 9 [accord] decided unfortunately and sadly to suspend their own bilateral discussions on the cessation of hostilities – was and has been a serious setback," de Mistura said.

"The ISSG…is still there and needs to be there – and everybody agrees. The fact that Russia and America [made] their own decision to suspend the current bilateral negotiations should not and will not affect the existence of ISSG," de Mistura vowed.