Syrian Rebels Want Astana Meeting Delayed to Assess Ceasefire

Syrian rebel groups called for the postponement of Russian-backed peace talks in Kazakhstan this month and said further meetings would depend on whether the government and its allies adhered to a newly declared March 7-20 ceasefire. The third round of talks is due to take place in Astana on March 14-15. In a statement, the rebels said they had received an invitation to a third round of talks in the Kazakh capital Astana but this should be delayed until after the end of the ceasefire. The previous meetings aimed to shore up a widely violated ceasefire between the sides that was brokered in December by Russia and Turkey, which backs the rebels. Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry noted that Kazakhstan is ready to further contribute to international efforts aimed at finding a political solution to the crisis in Syria, adding that the results of the previous meetings of Astana, especially those related to the cessation of hostilities agreement had provided an opportunity in front of the Syrian parties to go to discuss the issues raised in the framework of the Geneva process in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.