Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel
will hold talks today with Russia's Vladimir Putin over implementing a
UN ceasefire in Syria, France's presidency said, as new airstrikes
pounded a rebel-held area.
The discussion, which was announced
after the UN Security Council unanimously demanded a 30-day truce, will
centre on the "implementation of this resolution and on the political
roadmap needed to achieve lasting peace in Syria", it said.
More than 500 civilians are thought to have died in a week of heavy
bombardment by Syria's regime of the rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta,
just outside Damascus.
After the council vote, which had
support from Moscow, Syrian warplanes backed by Russian air power
launched new raids on Eastern Ghouta, the Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights said.
The Britain-based monitor said at least 41
civilians were killed in Saturday's strikes, including eight children.
Russia has denied taking part in the assault.
France and
Germany have pushed for Russian support for the Syria ceasefire, which
is mainly to allow aid to reach the besieged area and allow evacuations.
In its statement France's presidency said the ceasefire was "an
essential first step", adding that it would be "extremely vigilant" over
its implementation.
