UNITED NATIONS – UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appreciated the agreement by guarantor countries Iran, Russia and Turkey for establishing four safe zones to de-escalate violence in key areas in Syria.
The three countries signed an agreement on Thursday to establish four safe zones in Syria that the United Nations described as a promising step to lower the intensity of the six-year long war.
Secretary-General @antonioguterres encouraged by agreement in Astana to de-escalate violence in key areas in #Syria https://t.co/XEkc4WI6kT
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) May 4, 2017
The spokesman for the Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, stated in a press release, “The Secretary-General welcomes the commitments to ceasing the use of all weapons, particularly aerial assets; to rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access; and to creating conditions for the delivery of medical aid and meeting civilians’ basic needs. The commitments made should not affect the rights of Syrians to seek and enjoy asylum.”
The UN will continue to support de-escalation within the framework of the Security Council resolutions on Syria.
“The Secretary-General welcomes the affirmation from the Astana meeting of the fundamental importance of a political solution and the full support expressed there for the UN-led intra-Syrian talks process in Geneva within the framework of Security Council resolution 2254,” read the statement.
