Russia calls for Syria ceasefires http://bbc.in/w9TfWj
Russia joins Red Cross call for daily truce in Syria
The Red Cross says a daily ceasefire is needed to safely evacuate the woundedContinue reading the main story
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Russia has joined the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in calling for a daily two-hour humanitarian ceasefire in Syria.
In a statement, the foreign ministry called on the government "and all armed groups who oppose it" to agree to ceasefires "without delay".
Russia has twice vetoed Western-backed draft resolutions on Syria at the UN Security Council.
Its call came hours after clashes erupted in part of the Syrian capital.
The head of the ICRC, Jakob Kellenberger, had travelled to Moscow to discuss a ceasefire arrangement with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The organisation says a daily pause in fighting is needed to evacuate the wounded from the worst affected areas and allow in food and medicine.
Mr Kellenberger said Russia's support for its appeal was "very important" and that he noted it with "satisfaction and gratitude".
"The most important issue for us is to ensure humanitarian ceasefires as soon as possible," Russian media quoted him as saying.
He said the prospect of more Syrian cities being subjected to the intense military bombardment seen in Homs earlier this year was "absolutely unacceptable".
'Concrete results'Russia is a key ally of Syria and, along with China, has thwarted attempts to agree to a UN resolution condemning President Bashar al-Assad's actions.
In its statement, Moscow said it supported the ICRC's demands and urged the Syrian authorities to give the organisation "access to all detained persons in Syria following the protests".
