Washington, Moscow fail to reach 'breakthrough deal' on ending Syria violence

Washington and Moscow failed on Friday to reach a breakthrough deal on a nationwide cessation of hostilities and military cooperation in Syria, saying they still have issues to resolve before an agreement could be announced. The United States and Russia have "achieved clarity" on the way towards a new ceasefire in Syria, but technical details must still be resolved, US secretary of state John Kerry said Friday. Addressing a joint news conference after more than nine hours of off-and-on talks in Geneva, Kerry and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said teams from both sides would try to finalise details in coming days in the Swiss city. 'Improving humanitarian assistance' Kerry said during the talks with Lavrov, both of them offered few details on how they planned to renew a February cessation of hostilities and improve humanitarian assistance. "We don't want to have a deal for the sake of the deal," he said. "We want to have something done that is effective and that works for the people of Syria, that makes the region more stable and secure, and that brings us to the table here in Geneva to find a political solution." Kerry stressed that the two sides were not prepared to make a definitive announcement, but said US and Russian technical experts would continue to meet in Geneva in the coming days to hammer out a set of unresolved issues. We want to have something done that is effective and that works for the people of Syria, that makes the region more stable and secure, and that brings us to the table here in Geneva to find a political solution." - Kerry Kerry linked the near total collapse of a previous ceasefire agreed earlier this year to the failure to respond to violations and the Syrian regime's efforts to reclaim strategic territory, including around Damascus. Talks have been complicated The talks have been complicated since initial meetings in July by new government attacks on opposition groups, and a significant offensive in the southern part of the divided city of Aleppo led by opposition fighters intermingled with the Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate also seeking to topple Russian-backed President Bashar al-Assad. In the days ahead the technical teams, which include US and Russian military and intelligence experts, will try to figure out ways to separate the opposition groups, backed by the United States and Gulf Arab countries, from the jihadis. It was unclear after Friday's meetings whether outstanding issues could all be resolved between Moscow and Washington, which back opposing parties in the Syrian conflict. Different views The United States has insisted that the Syrian air force, which has dropped barrel bombs and chlorine on residential areas, be grounded but Lavrov said on Friday that was not the goal. Assad's future is not part of the current talks. Instead, discussions are focused on finding an effective and lasting solution to end the violence, which would open negotiations on a political transition in Syria. "If the remaining details can be completed, we believe we will be able to address the two primary challenges to the cessation of hostilities - the regime violations and the increasing influence of the al-Nusra Front," Kerry said. Kerry insisted the Syrian regime had "forced the surrender" of Daraya in contravention of the February cessation of hostilities agreement, but Lavrov said the local accord was an "example" that should be "replicated". Kerry believes the plan is the best chance to limit fighting that is driving thousands of Syrians into exile in Europe and preventing humanitarian aid from reaching tens of thousands more. The talks came as opposition groups effectively surrendered the Damascus suburb of Daraya to the government after a grueling four-year siege. Kerry insisted the Syrian regime had "forced the surrender" of Daraya in contravention of the February cessation of hostilities agreement, but Lavrov said the local accord was an "example" that should be "replicated". The Russian foreign minister said another besieged area was "interested in such an operation with mediation of the Russian Federation." He did not name the area. Residents and insurgents in Daraya began to leave the besieged area where civilians have been trapped since 2012 and the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross expressed concern for their safety. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Washington, Moscow fail to reach 'breakthrough deal' on ending Syria violence

'We don't want to have a deal for the sake of the deal,' US secretary of state John Kerry (L) said.

The talks came as opposition groups effectively surrendered the Damascus suburb of Daraya to Syrian government after a grueling 4-year siege

We want to have something done that is effective and that works for the people of Syria, that makes the region more stable and secure, and that brings us to the table here in Geneva to find a political solution." - Kerry

Kerry insisted the Syrian regime had "forced the surrender" of Daraya in contravention of the February cessation of hostilities agreement, but Lavrov said the local accord was an "example" that should be "replicated".

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