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US and Russia in 'parallel universe' on Syria ceasefire

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov have clashed at the UN over the failed Syria ceasefire.

It follows the attack on an aid convoy in Syria which killed 21 people, which the US blamed on Russia but Moscow has denied any involvement in.

Here are the key developments:

  • The attack on Monday night left at least 21 people dead, aid agencies said
  • The aid convoy was delivering aid for 78,000 people at the time of the attack
  • The United States believes two Russian jets carried out the airstrike, something Russia has denied
  • At the UN, Mr Kerry appeared to suggest Mr Lavrov was a 'spoiler' who 'shredded' any hopes of a ceasefire
  • Mr Kerry has also called for no-fly zones to be implemented in Syria
  • Mr Lavrov said a ceasefire would only work if there was a comprehensive approach with simultaneous steps taken by all parties involved
  • The UN has said it will resume humanitarian aid convoys within Syria
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Kerry calls for Syria no-fly zones to de-escalate conflict

The US Secretary of State has called for immediate no-fly zones to be implemented in Syria and warned the future of the country hangs by a thread.

John Kerry said: "I believe that to restore credibility to the process [of creating a ceasefire], we must move forward to try to immediately ground all aircraft flying in those key areas [in Syria], in order to de-escalate the situation, and give a chance for humanitarian assistance to flow unimpeded.

"In Geneva, Russia [said] that Assad was prepared to live by the cessation of hostilities and would accept the idea of not flying over agreed upon areas.

"Because of what's happened over the last few days, we have to... move immediately... to implement a genuine ceasefire now.

"The future of Syria is hanging by a thread. I call on every country to cease providing support of any kind to any party that is trying to sabotage this plan", he added.

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