国际英语新闻:Iran welcomes U.S.-Russia ceasefire agreement in Syria: spokesman

TEHRAN, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran welcomes recent U.S.-Russia ceasefire agreement in Syria "provided that it would be a comprehensive plan for the Arab state," Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Bahram Qasemi, said here on Monday.

"If the U.S.-Russia ceasefire agreement in Syria could be extended to whole Syria ..., for sure, it can be helpful," Qasemi told reporters in his weekly press conference.

To implement the agreement, the United States should stop targeting the Syria government forces, he said, adding that Washington is better not to overlook the facts on the ground in Syria.

For any agreement, taking notice of the sovereignty and integrity of Syria is of primary importance, he stressed.

On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the United States and Russia had reached ceasefire agreement to quell fighting in southwest Syria, covering the provinces of Sweida, Daraa, and Qunaitera. The agreement went into effect on Sunday.

Besides, a new round of intra-Syrian talks aiming at ending the seven years of war in the country started in the Swiss Geneva on Monday.