UNSC will convene meeting to discuss new Syria ceasefire

UN Security Council is to convene a closed meeting to discuss the Syria ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Russia that took effect early on Friday, a diplomatic UN source said.

The meeting “is expected to focus on the ceasefire announced in Syria,” a UN diplomatic source at the told the Russian TASS news agency.

The meeting will be held later on Friday immediately after an open session that will review a draft resolution on prolonging the UN’s Oil-for-Food Program (OIP).

A countrywide ceasefire in Syria went into effect at midnight (2200GMT) December 30, after a deal was brokered by Turkey, Russia. The latter two said they will act as guarantor countries for the implementation of the ceasefire.

The ceasefire deal was approved by seven major opposition fighters’ groups which are Ahara al-Sham, al-Sham Legion, Jaysh al-Islam, Soqour al-Sham, Jaysh al-Mujahidin, Free Idlib Army, and al-Jabha al-Shamia.