First Talks of Joint Task Force to Focus on Separating Syrian Rebels, Terrorists

The first meeting of a Joint Task Force comprising Russia, Iran, Turkey and the UN on Syria will be held in Kazakh capital, Astana, on February 6, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday. It will pay special attention to issues concerning the separation of moderate opposition from al-Nusra Front terrorists.

MOSCOW, February 2 (Sputnik) — According to the statement, experts from Russia, Turkey, Iran and the United Nations will take part in the meeting.

"Special attention at the JFT meeting will be dedicated to issues concerning the separation of moderate opposition from al-Nusra Front terrorist group, which all guarantors of the ceasefire regime in Syria, introduced on December 30, consider as a priority task," the ministry said in a statement.

"The goal of the meeting is to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire regime in Syria by all conflicting sides, to develop measures aimed at monitoring the truce and preventing its violations, as well as to increase the level of trust between the Syrian authorities and opposition…," the statement said.

The JTF will hold regular meetings in Astana with participation of Syrian government officials and representatives of opposition, the ministry added.