Germany calls to implement the ceasefire in Syria

Germany called Monday for Syria to implement the ceasefire it has agreed to "without ifs or buts," a day after more deaths were reported in the Middle Eastern country. "We expect, without ifs or buts, the implementation of the ceasefire," Michael Link, German minister of state for foreign affairs, told reporters in Luxembourg ahead of a meeting of European Union foreign ministers, according to the German news agency (DPA). On Saturday, the United Nations Security Council authorized the deployment of 300 unarmed military personnel to monitor the ceasefire. Russia and China, who in the past have been wary of international action on Syria, supported the move. Link said "clear signals" were needed for al-Assad to know that he cannot hide "behind the backs of Beijing and Moscow."