Weekly 48-hour ceasefire in Aleppo is no substitute to full humanitarian access - U.S. Dept of State
WASHINGTON. Aug 19 (Interfax) - The U.S. Department of State thinks that Russia's decision to support the idea of the weekly 48-hour ceasefire cannot substitute the full and sustained humanitarian access.
"We welcome any pause that successfully facilitates delivery of vitally needed humanitarian supplies - but it cannot be considered a substitute for the complete and sustained humanitarian access," a U.S. Department of State official told Interfax.
"While we welcome any ceasefire that reduces violence, it must be real," the official said.
"We call on all parties to fully adhere to it, and we urge the Russian government to fully honor its commitment and use its influence with the Syrian regime to ensure its [ceasefire's] compliance," he said.
"Ultimately, what is needed is complete compliance with the nationwide cessation of hostilities, full stop," the official said.
"We call on all parties to abide by their commitments, cease the violence, allow humanitarian access, and create the conditions needed for a return to negotiating a political transition," he said.