Russia wants Syrian border with Turkey closed

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called Tuesday for the closure of Syria's border with Turkey to cut off outside supplies to "terrorists", including through humanitarian convoys.

"Of course, neither in ceasefire agreements, nor in the process of political settlement is there a place for terrorists and extremists," Lavrov told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

"A very special task is to cut the terrorists' supply from the outside. For this purpose it is important to close the Syrian-Turkish border, since across this border those gangs receive arms, including with humanitarian convoys," Lavrov said, according to an official transcript in English of his remarks.

He insisted that a "landslide defeat of (the Islamic State group)... al-Nusra and those of their kind is a necessary precondition for securing the rights of long-suffering peoples of Syria" and the rest of the region.

His comments came after aid workers on Monday made the first delivery of desperately needed assistance since the start of Syria's fragile ceasefire four days ago.

Moscow and Washington drafted the UN-backed cessation of hostilities deal, and the two countries are co-chairing an international task force evaluating how the ceasefire is holding.

At an earlier meeting in Geneva, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon thanked Lavrov for "his significant role in achieving recent progress on Syria," a UN statement said.

"They agreed on the importance of urgently moving forward simultaneously on implementing the cessation of hostilities agreement, providing vital humanitarian assistance to civilians, and returning to political negotiations," the statement further said.

The deal does not apply to the vast swathes of territory held by the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front.

It is hoped that the flow of much-needed assistance could create a more favourable backdrop for peace talks that collapsed in acrimony in early February.

UN envoy Steffan de Mistura aims to relaunch negotiations on March 7 if the ceasefire lasts and more aid is delivered.
Source :AFP