Mechanism to be established to monitor ceasefire in Syria: Putin

Russia President Vladimir Putin makes a statement in Moscow region, Russia, February 22, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that his country and the United States were ready to set up an implementation and monitor mechanism to ensure respect of a ceasefire in Syria.

"It is essential that Russia and the United States, co-chairs of the International Syrian Support Group, are ready to run an effective mechanism for the implementation and monitoring of the ceasefire by both the Syrian government and armed opposition groups," Putin said in a televised address posted on the Kremlin's website.

Putin's remarks came hours after Washington and Moscow announced plans for a cessation of hostilities in Syria, excluding Islamic State and Nusra Front militants, that would take effect from Saturday.

To achieve this, a "hot line" would be created and if necessary a working group would be set up for exchanging information, Putin said.

"The main thing is that conditions have been created for launching a genuine political process through the wide inter-Syrian dialogue in Geneva overseen by the UN," Putin said.

The arm forces of Russia and the US would continue joint work to identify which Syrian armed groups should observe the cessation of hostilities on Saturday, Putin said.

"Russian and the US military forces will jointly define areas on the maps where these groups are active," he said. "The Armed Forces of Syrian Arab Republic, Russian Federation and the US-led coalition will not carry out military operations against these groups."

Putin stressed that all conflicting sides in Syria must reaffirm by noon of Friday their commitment to ceasefire to Russia and the United States.