Kerry says getting closer to an understanding on Syria ceasefire

GENEVA, May 2

US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday talks with Russia and coalition partners were "getting closer to a place of understanding" on renewing a ceasefire in Syria, including around the city of Aleppo.

"We're getting closer to a place of understanding, but we have some work to do, and that's why we're here," Kerry said at the start of a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Geneva.

Jubeir condemned the escalation of fighting as a "violation of all humanitarian laws", blaming the air strikes in Aleppo on government forces and called for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down. "He can leave through a political process, which we hope he will do, or he will be removed by force," Jubeir said.

‘Talks continue’

Russian military official said on Monday that talks over including Syria's Aleppo province in a "regime of calm", or lull in fighting, were continuing, Interfax news agency reported.

Interfax cited the same official, General Sergei Kuralenko, as saying that Russia, the United States as well as Syria's leadership and the "moderate" opposition had agreed to extend a "regime of calm" in a suburb of Damascus called Eastern Ghouta for another two days to the end of May 3. — Reuters