WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Secretary of State John Kerry and the Syrian opposition’s High Negotiations Committee Chairman Riad Hijab agreed in a Sunday telephone conversation that the cessation of hostilities is largely holding in Syria, Department of State spokesman John Kirby said on Monday.
"Both men [Kerry and Hijab] agreed that the cessation of hostilities in Syria largely continue to appear to be holding, and that in itself it has been a positive development leading up to what we hope is another round of… talks," Kirby stated.
In a statement obtained by RIA Novosti on Friday, Hijab reported more than 100 ceasefire violations over the course of five days, that resulted in over 40 deaths.
The discussion between Kerry and Hijab took place in the lead-up to an anticipated resumption of government and opposition talks, to be held in Geneva under UN auspices.
According to UN Special Envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, a new round of Syrian peace talks could begin as soon as March 9.
