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Syria conflict: Kerry hopes to salvage truce as new raids hit Aleppo Syria conflict: Kerry hopes to salvage truce as new raids hit Aleppo
(35 minutes later)
US Secretary of State John Kerry says envoys meeting in Geneva are getting closer to an understanding on salvaging the cessation of hostilities in Syria.US Secretary of State John Kerry says envoys meeting in Geneva are getting closer to an understanding on salvaging the cessation of hostilities in Syria.
He told reporters progress was being made on a plan to reduce the violence in the second city of Aleppo, which has threatened to sink the nine-week truce.He told reporters progress was being made on a plan to reduce the violence in the second city of Aleppo, which has threatened to sink the nine-week truce.
But he accused the Syrian government of "blatantly violating" the agreement to halt hostilities and allow aid in.But he accused the Syrian government of "blatantly violating" the agreement to halt hostilities and allow aid in.
About 250 people have reportedly been killed in Aleppo in the past nine days.About 250 people have reportedly been killed in Aleppo in the past nine days.
On Monday, fresh government air strikes and artillery attacks on rebel-held districts and suburbs of Aleppo left at least three dead, activists said.On Monday, fresh government air strikes and artillery attacks on rebel-held districts and suburbs of Aleppo left at least three dead, activists said.
Mr Kerry, speaking after a morning of talks in Geneva, said the conflict in Syria was "in many ways out of control and deeply disturbing".Mr Kerry, speaking after a morning of talks in Geneva, said the conflict in Syria was "in many ways out of control and deeply disturbing".
He said the cessation of hostilities had had "a profoundly positive effect" and saved many lives, but in recent weeks it had been "put to the test".
"It has frayed in certain areas and fallen completely in a few areas," he said.
"We are engaged in an effort with all members of the international Syria Support Group and with Russia, particularly, in an effort to restore that cessation of hostilities in those places where it been most at risk or most shredded."
The secretary of state also announced a beefing up of the negotiations in Geneva, with additional US and Russian officials posted there.The secretary of state also announced a beefing up of the negotiations in Geneva, with additional US and Russian officials posted there.
The UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura will travel to Russia on Tuesday and Mr Kerry said he would speak to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, later on Monday.The UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura will travel to Russia on Tuesday and Mr Kerry said he would speak to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, later on Monday.
Aleppo's 'last paediatrician' deadAleppo's 'last paediatrician' dead
Mr Kerry's trip to Geneva was hastily arranged after Mr de Mistura appealed to the US and Russia, which back opposing sides in Syria's five-year conflict, to rescue the cessation of hostilities they brokered in February.Mr Kerry's trip to Geneva was hastily arranged after Mr de Mistura appealed to the US and Russia, which back opposing sides in Syria's five-year conflict, to rescue the cessation of hostilities they brokered in February.
At the start of his meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Monday, the US secretary of state said he would press rebel groups operating in Aleppo to separate themselves from the powerful jihadist group, al-Nusra Front.At the start of his meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Monday, the US secretary of state said he would press rebel groups operating in Aleppo to separate themselves from the powerful jihadist group, al-Nusra Front.
"This is what we're discussing, among other things. There are a number of different ways to approach it," Mr Kerry told reporters."This is what we're discussing, among other things. There are a number of different ways to approach it," Mr Kerry told reporters.
"We're getting closer to a place of understanding. But we have some work to do.""We're getting closer to a place of understanding. But we have some work to do."
The Syrian government and Russia have said the Aleppo air strikes are targeting only al-Nusra, which is affiliated to al-Qaeda and is excluded from the cessation of hostilities along with the rival Islamic State group.The Syrian government and Russia have said the Aleppo air strikes are targeting only al-Nusra, which is affiliated to al-Qaeda and is excluded from the cessation of hostilities along with the rival Islamic State group.
However, the opposition and the US have dismissed the claim, and accused the government of targeting civilians and rebels abiding by the cessation of hostilities.However, the opposition and the US have dismissed the claim, and accused the government of targeting civilians and rebels abiding by the cessation of hostilities.
"What is happening in Aleppo is an outrage. It's a violation of all humanitarian laws. It's a crime," Mr Jubeir said, adding that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would be held accountable and would be removed from power either through a political process or by force."What is happening in Aleppo is an outrage. It's a violation of all humanitarian laws. It's a crime," Mr Jubeir said, adding that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would be held accountable and would be removed from power either through a political process or by force.
The fighting in Aleppo has also seen dozens of civilians killed in rebel artillery attacks on government-held areas.The fighting in Aleppo has also seen dozens of civilians killed in rebel artillery attacks on government-held areas.
After at least 50 people were killed in a reported government air strike on a hospital last Wednesday night, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned that Aleppo was being "pushed further to the brink of humanitarian disaster".After at least 50 people were killed in a reported government air strike on a hospital last Wednesday night, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned that Aleppo was being "pushed further to the brink of humanitarian disaster".
Large parts of the city have been destroyed and its infrastructure has been severely damaged, leaving civilians without water and electricity for months.Large parts of the city have been destroyed and its infrastructure has been severely damaged, leaving civilians without water and electricity for months.
The talks in Geneva come a day after the Syrian military extended a "regime of calm" around the capital, Damascus, for another 24 hours.The talks in Geneva come a day after the Syrian military extended a "regime of calm" around the capital, Damascus, for another 24 hours.
The unilateral truce also covers the northern countryside of the coastal province of Latakia,The unilateral truce also covers the northern countryside of the coastal province of Latakia,
More than three dozen rebel factions said on Saturday that they would not respect the truce, unless the government agreed to extend it over the whole country.More than three dozen rebel factions said on Saturday that they would not respect the truce, unless the government agreed to extend it over the whole country.