New York, SANA – The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan De Mistura, stressed that the de-escalation zones memorandum which was agreed upon during the last Astana meeting on Syria was promising and has achieved tangible results, adding that the ultimate objective is to reach a complete cessation of hostilities across Syria.

Briefing the UNSC on the recent intra-Syrian talks in Geneva, De Mistura said that the Syrian government has made remarkable progress in confronting the ISIS terrorist organization, indicating to significant concerns about increased terrorist activity.

He denounced the ISIS terrorist attack against Aqareb al-Safiyeh village in al-Salamiyeh area in the countryside of Hama province last week as well as the organization’s repeated aggressions in Deir Ezzor city, at the same time De Mistura refrained from condemning the US-led Coalition attack on a Syrian military site in al-Badiya.

De Mistura referred to reports about “A coalition against ISIS that targeted a convoy including Syrian government forces and their allies in al-Badiya.”

The UN diplomat said that Astana meeting tackled key issues related to humanitarian aid delivery and the file of abductees and detainees.

He pointed out that the sixth round of Geneva talks witnessed intensive meetings during which a series of expert-level talks took place with focus laid on constitutional and legal issues, stressing that tackling these issues do not exclude the Syrian people’s right to decide the constitution and their future.

For his part, Kazakhstan representative to the UNSC stressed that there is no military solution to the crisis in Syria and dialogue is the only way to achieve peace, reiterating his country’s support to Syria’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and regional safety.

He added that Kazakhstan welcomes the de-escalation zones agreement adopted in the recent Astana meeting on Syria.

In turn, Bolivian representative to the UNSC condemned the illegal unilateral measures which undermine Syria’s sovereignty and unity as well as efforts exerted to combat the ISIS terrorist organization.

R.Raslan/Mazen