Syria safe zones on hold amid concern over how deal will be enforced

Russian-backed plans for de-escalation zones in Syria are on hold as the US, France and the UK seek further detail on how exactly the agreement will be enforced.

The deal, jointly signed by Russia, Iran and Turkey in Kazakhstan last week, agreed the establishment of four zones intended to halt conflict between government forces and rebels in key areas, and would potentially be policed by foreign troops.

However, the deal has offered little detail on the specifics of the enforcement and in an effort to provide assurances, the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, will meet the US secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, on Wednesday in Washington, amid western diplomatic concerns about how the ceasefire will be enforced and monitored.

The Astana agreed ceasefire brokered by Russia, the US and Turkey is broadly holding, but Russia would like the formal political support of the UN Security Council for the agreement, something that requires the backing of permanent Security Council members such as the US.

 

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