Iran has expressed hope that a new UN resolution demanding a month-long truce across Syria would help reduce violence and allow for delivery of humanitarian assistance.
"We hope the new resolution could secure ceasefire across Syria and allow humanitarian aid to reach all parts of the country," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi told a press briefing in Tehran on Monday, Fars News Agency reported.
The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday for a ceasefire across the war-torn state.
The painstakingly negotiated resolution called for all parties to "cease hostilities without delay" across the country to enable the "safe, unimpeded, and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid and services and medical evacuations of the critically sick and wounded," the New York Times reported.
The pause in fighting for at least 30 days would let humanitarian aid reach the rebel-held suburb of Eastern Ghouta and allow civilians there to be evacuated.
Civilian Deaths
Asked about the situation in Ghouta, Qasemi said the killing of civilians is not limited to a certain part of Syria and fighting is ranging on even in Damascus.
It is hoped that the announced truce would help curb violence in the country and pave the way for aid deliveries, the official said.
The geographic scope of the ceasefire covers the conflict across Syria, except where military operations are underway against the self-styled Islamic State, the Nusra Front, al Qaeda-affiliated groups, and any other groups designated as terrorist organizations, according to the Security Council.
"The Syrian issue is an old and complicated issue involving many players," Qasemi said, underlining the need for immediate measures that would prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.
A senior military commander said on Sunday Iran and Syria will be committed to the UN-backed ceasefire resolution but mopping-up operations against "terrorists" holing up in Damascus suburbs would continue.
"Some parts of Damascus suburbs that are under terrorists' control are not included in the ceasefire, and clean-up operations will continue there," Chairman of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri noted.
In addition, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Sunday the resolution will not impact Turkey's offensive against Kurdish fighters in Afrin in northwest Syria. Turkey earlier welcomed the resolution.
