ASTANA - The UN special envoy for Syria said on Tuesday Russia, Turkey and Iran were closing in on a final statement reaffirming a cessation of hostilities between Syrian warring parties. 'We're working for a declaration that can reassure the actual cessation of hostilities to become more solid,' he told reporters. 'This is not a paper, but a cessation of hostilities and saving lives. We're not far from a final declaration.' Diplomats said there was a nuance in the language being used with the Syrian government opposed to the use of the word ceasefire as opposed to cessation of hostilities.
(photo credit: The Jerusalem Post)