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Syria Cease-Fire Talks Making Progress

The UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said that 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.” The talks are focused on shoring up a cease-fire in place since Dec. 30 and are to be followed by more negotiations in Geneva next month. Syrian rebel spokesman Osama Abo Zayd says his side will communicate with the government delegation through intermediaries, not directly. The rebels have pinned their hopes on Russia and Turkey, which brokered the cease-fire, but Abu Zayd says they “are waiting for something more than statements.”