Rouhani Stresses Need for Lasting Syrian Truce in Phone Call With Putin

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Monday that he had stressed the need for a lasting cessation of hostilities in Syria and further peace settlement efforts in the country during a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On February 22, Moscow and Washington reached an agreement on a ceasefire in Syria. The ceasefire took effect on February 27 and is generally holding across the country despite reports of minor violations, according to the Russian authorities.

“In phone conversation w/ the #Russian President [Putin], stressed the need for a lasting ceasefire in #Syria & acceleration of negotiations,” Rouhani wrote on Twitter.

In phone conversation w/ the #Russian President @PutinRF, stressed the need for a lasting ceasefire in #Syria & acceleration of negotiations

— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) 28 марта 2016 г.

Earlier on Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov said that Russia and the United States were moving closer to establishing a mechanism for monitoring the Syrian ceasefire.