Lavrov, Syrian Opposition Member Discuss Ceasefire, Fight Against Daesh

The prospects for Syrian crisis settlement and the resumption of the peace talks were discussed by Russian top diplomat Sergei Lavrov and chair of the Syrian opposition's Movement of the Pluralistic Society Randa Kassis, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The sides reportedly called for a speedy launch of a sustainable negotiation process between the Syrian government and the opposition in accordance with the provisions of UNSC Resolution 2254.

They stressed the necessity to involve all the parties to the Syrian conflict in these negotiations, and in particular the opposition members who participated in the meetings in Moscow and Cairo and representatives of Kurdish forces.

"During the conversation, the sides exchanged views on the prospects of Syrian crisis settlement with special attention paid to the ceasefire regime announced on February 27 and the uncompromising struggle against Daesh and other terrorist groups in accordance with UNSC [UN Security Council] Resolution 2268," the ministry's statement reads.

On February 22, Russia and the United States reached an agreement on a ceasefire in Syria. The UNSC unanimously adopted Resolution 2268, endorsing the Russia-US agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Syria on February 26, shortly before the ceasefire came into force. The ceasefire took effect on February 27. It does not apply to terrorist groups operating in the country.