Deal on Demilitarized Zone in Idlib Aims at Eliminating Terrorism in Syria: Lavrov

SARAJEVO-Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stressed that the deal reached in Sochi on establishing a demilitarized zone in Syria’s Idleb aims at eradicating the terrorist threat in Syria.

“This deal is aimed at eradicating a terrorist threat. No doubt, this is an interim step, as just a demilitarized zone is created,” Lavrov said, according to Itar Tass.

“But this is a necessary step as the creation of this zone will make it possible to prevent the continuing cases of shelling from the de-escalation zone in Syria’s Idlib Governorate on the positions of Syria’s governmental forces and Russia’s Hmeymim base,” he noted.

 By mid-October, all members of the Jabhat al-Nusra terror group should leave this demilitarized zone and all heavy weapons need to be pulled out from it, Lavrov noted.

Moscow will insist Washington should stop attempts at creating an autonomy in Syria, he added.

He said that the main threat to Syria’s territorial integrity comes from the eastern bank of the Euphrates, where the US-led coalition takes control.

“We will insist this unlawful activity should be brought to an end. We have been saying so again and again to the Americans and in the UN Security Council,” Lavrov said.

H.M