01:13USA: 'Plenty of reasons for scepticism' over Syria ceasefire deal - Obama
US President Barack Obama said his administration was "not under any illusions" about the Syrian ceasefire agreement, which came into effect at 00:00 Damascus time (22:00 GMT), during his first official statement since the cessation of hostilities began. "There are plenty of reasons for scepticism: even under the best of circumstances, the violence will not end right away," he stated while speaking from the White House in Washington, D.C. on Saturday.
"Much will depend on whether the Syrian regime, Russia and their allies live up to their commitments," Obama said. The US president stressed that "all parties must end attacks, including aerial bombardment" and that "humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach areas under siege."
Obama stated, however, that "there will be absolutely no ceasefire in our fight against ISIL."
Russia and the United States reached an agreement on a ceasefire in Syria on February 22. On Friday, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2268, approving the Russian-American joint statement on the cessation of hostilities, which came into effect on February 27 at 00:00 Damascus time (February 26 at 22:00 GMT).
01:13US President Barack Obama said his administration was "not under any illusions" about the Syrian ceasefire agreement, which came into effect at 00:00 Damascus time (22:00 GMT), during his first official statement since the cessation of hostilities began. "There are plenty of reasons for scepticism: even under the best of circumstances, the violence will not end right away," he stated while speaking from the White House in Washington, D.C. on Saturday.
"Much will depend on whether the Syrian regime, Russia and their allies live up to their commitments," Obama said. The US president stressed that "all parties must end attacks, including aerial bombardment" and that "humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach areas under siege."
Obama stated, however, that "there will be absolutely no ceasefire in our fight against ISIL."
Russia and the United States reached an agreement on a ceasefire in Syria on February 22. On Friday, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2268, approving the Russian-American joint statement on the cessation of hostilities, which came into effect on February 27 at 00:00 Damascus time (February 26 at 22:00 GMT).