Russia is sponsoring further peace talks on the Syrian civil war.
The representatives of the various parties are meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The Syrian army said it would stop fighting until Thursday, July 6, to let the talks take place in peace.
Syria is represented by chief negotiator Bashar Ja'afari. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Ansari Jabari is there. The United Nations sent U.N. special envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura.
Representatives of the Syrian opposition are expected to participate—but some groups refuse to attend.
The last round of talks, in May, established four “de-escalation” zones. The opposition said these zones let Syria concentrate its troops. The Syrian army has otherwise ignored the zones.
A general view shows Baath city, bordering the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Syria on June 24, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Faqir
