Syrian opposition to abide by ceasefire, take part in future talks - FSA rebel group

Record ID: 162670

  • Title: Syrian opposition to abide by ceasefire, take part in future talks - FSA rebel group
  • Date: 29th December 2016
  • Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (DECEMBER 29, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF SPOKESMAN FOR FREE SYRIAN ALLIANCE (FSA) OSAMA ABU ZAID HOLDING NEWS CONFERENCE REPORTERS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SPOKESMAN FOR FSA GROUP, OSAMA ABU ZAID, SAYING: "An agreement has been reached today in the afternoon after 1.00 pm (1000 GMT). (AUDIO OF TURKISH TRANSLATION) A ceasefire has been reached in Syria. This ceasefire covers the whole of Syria and no part of it remains apart." REPORTERS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SPOKESMAN FOR FSA GROUP, OSAMA ABU ZAID, SAYING: "This ceasefire covers the whole of Syria. At the same time this deal covers all groups of fighters in Syria in the field. (AUDIO OF TURKISH TRANSLATION) During the talks, the Russian government guaranteed to us that they will keep the Syrian regime forces and their allies under control." REPORTERS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SPOKESMAN FOR FSA GROUP, OSAMA ABU ZAID, SAYING: "During these talks we have not met anyone from the Syrian regime." REPORTERS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SPOKESMAN FOR FSA GROUP, OSAMA ABU ZAID, SAYING: "This agreement consists of five articles. (AUDIO OF TURKISH TRANSLATION) It consists of two pages. (AUDIO OF TURKISH TRANSLATION) The first article says the opposition will remain loyal to this agreement and attend talks in the future." REPORTERS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SPOKESMAN FOR FSA GROUP, OSAMA ABU ZAID, SAYING: "The political talks will be held in line with Geneva talks and U.N. resolutions." REPORTERS LISTENING NEWS CONFERENCE UNDERWAY
  • Embargoed: 13th January 2017 15:50
  • Keywords: Turkey Russia ceasefire Syria war conflict fighting. opposition FSA rebels Osama abu Zaid
  • Location: ANKARA, TURKEY
  • City: ANKARA, TURKEY
  • Country: Turkey
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015EXSF2F
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:The Syrian opposition will abide by a ceasefire deal guaranteed by Turkey and Russia and will take part in future talks, a spokesman for the Free Syrian Alliance (FSA) rebel group said on Thursday (December 29).
    Speaking through a translator at a news conference in Ankara, FSA spokesman Osama Abu Zaid said the ceasefire covered the whole of Syria.
    "This ceasefire covers the whole of Syria. At the same time this deal covers all groups of fighters in Syria in the field. During the talks, the Russian government guaranteed to us that they will keep the Syrian regime forces and their allies under control," Zaid said.
    Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ceasefire between Syrian opposition groups and the Syrian government starting at midnight on Friday (December 30).
    The parties were also prepared to start peace talks, Putin said, after Moscow, Iran and Turkey expressed readiness to broker a deal to settle the nearly six-year-old Syrian war.
    The Syrian army has announced a nationwide halt to fighting but said Islamic State and ex-Nusra Front militants and all groups linked to them would be excluded from the deal. It did not say which unnamed groups would be excluded.
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