Russia unilaterally declared an eight-hour truce in Aleppo – TASS

the UN, October 18. /Offset. TASS Oleg Zelenin/. Russia unilaterally declared an eight-hour cease-fire in Aleppo, but more long “humanitarian pause” will require “some mutual agreements.”

this was stated on Monday, Russia’s permanent representative to the UN Vitaly Churkin after the closed-door meeting of the Security Council of the world organization.

“We announced the eight-hour (cease-fire) unilaterally. It seems to me that a longer, such as 48-hour or 72-hour (pause), will require some mutual agreement,” – said the diplomat.

on Monday, the chief of the Main operations Directorate of the General staff of the Armed forces of Russia Sergey rudskoy has announced that from 20 October, the Russian and the Syrian military will introduce a humanitarian pause in the fighting in Aleppo for the passage of civilians and the withdrawal of militants in the area of Idlib. With this purpose we will organize eight humanitarian corridors, six of which are for civilians.

the General staff also said that working on the question of the withdrawal of fighters from Aleppo with the UN and countries with influence on banned in the Russian terrorist group “dzhebhat an-Nusra”. According to Rudskoy, as approval can take a long time, the defense Ministry decided to carry out humanitarian pause “for the free passage of civilians and evacuation of the sick and wounded and the withdrawal of fighters”.

As stated to journalists the official representative of the UN Secretary General Stefan Dujarric, the world organization welcomed any break in the fighting in Aleppo and ready to take advantage of a future pause in order to improve the humanitarian situation in the city. However, he noted that eight hours for a full-fledged humanitarian operations is not enough, and recalled that the UN had previously called for the introduction of a weekly 48-hour pause in the fighting.

“Either will be defeated”

Churkin believes that the militants groups “Dzhebhat EN-Nusra” in the case of separation from her moderate opposition will either have to leave the Eastern part of Aleppo, or they will be defeated.

according to the diplomat, the meeting discussed the results of a meeting held on Saturday in Lausanne the meeting with the participation of the head of the Russian foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of state John Kerry and representatives of a number of countries that play a key role in the Syrian settlement. According to him, the debate in the UN security Council “was much more pragmatic” than those that took place “in the previous few weeks.” Churkin said that the meeting in the security Council, the Russian delegation “shared the vision” of the results of the meeting in Lausanne.

He expressed the opinion that the most important result of Saturday’s talks was the understanding of the importance of the task of demarcation of the “so-called moderate opposition” and “Dzhebhat EN-Nusra.” The permanent representative of the Russian Federation noted that this work was supposed to start on Monday under the guidance of Russian and American military, which was planned to connect professionals from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar.

“If they (opposition – ed. TASS) distanciruemsa, we will offer “dzhebhat an-Nusra” two choices: either they leave the city, and (special envoy of the UN Secretary General for Syria) Staffan de Mistura, as you know, made a proposal to that effect some time ago, which has not yet been made, “dzhebhat an-Nusra”, or they have to win,” the diplomat said. According to him, if the militant group would leave Aleppo, and remained in this part of the city the formation of the opposition will sign the agreement on a cease-fire with government forces, “there will be no war.”

the Chances of success

Churkin drew attention to the earlier British foreign Secretary evidence that in Eastern Aleppo remain from 10 thousand to 12 thousand militants of opposition parties, and announced an emissary of the UN information according to which in this part of town are about 900 members of the “Dzhebhat EN-Nusra.” “If these figures are true, the balance of forces 10 or 12 to one, and the so-called moderate opposition could ensure that “al-Nusra” left the city”, – said the diplomat. According to him, if this happens, then between government forces and the “moderate opposition” will come into force a cease-fire, “which will prevent further bloodshed.”

As recalled Churkin, when in February it was announced the ceasefire in Syria, he was supposed to be indefinite. “But we have witnessed how the “an-Nusra” immediately used every ceasefire to regroup and obtain weapons to continue fighting everywhere (in Syria),” – said the permanent representative of the Russian Federation.

Draft resolution

the diplomat Also noted that the draft resolution of the UN Security Council on the situation in Aleppo, prepared by New Zealand, deserves consideration.

“I think it’s an interesting effort, and I think we can definitely consider it. I hope they (the new Zealanders – approx. TASS) will demonstrate persistence in their efforts,” the diplomat said.

New Zealand Proposed a draft security Council resolution provides for the withdrawal of militants from the East of Aleppo, in accordance with the initiative of the special envoy of the UN Secretary General to Syria Staffan de Mistura, and requires combatants “to immediately and completely cease all attacks that can lead to death or injury to people or damage to civilian objects”. As highlighted in the text, especially air strikes on Aleppo.

the Document also provides for introduction of a regular 48-hour pause in the fighting for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The first such truce, according to the draft resolution must occur within 24 hours after its adoption. In addition, the document indicates the need for disengagement of armed groups and terrorist groups listed by the UN security Council.

8 Oct France proposed to the security Council a draft resolution providing for the prohibition of flights of military aircraft over Aleppo. Russia vetoed it, the veto. Then the United States, Britain and France opposed Russian project, which involved the withdrawal of militants groups “Dzhebhat EN-Nusra” from East Aleppo, in accordance with the initiative of de Mistura. Before the vote, Russia’s permanent representative expressed the view that “the true motive” of Paris, is “to call Russia’s veto”.