Guarantor countries to control Syrian de-escalation zones

MOSCOW - 4 July 2017: The guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire will control the Syrian de-escalation zones for the time being, TASS News Agency quoted Russian Special Presidential Representative for settling the Syrian crisis and head of the Russian delegation to the Astana talks Alexander Lavrentyev as saying on Tuesday.

"The previously outlined format will not change for now," he said when he was asked whether any other countries, apart from Russia, Iran and Turkey, would have a chance to participate in monitoring the de-escalation zones.

The Russian envoy also pointed out that agreements on implementing the zones have not been reached yet. "Everything will be discussed today and tomorrow," the Russian diplomat added