Macron, Trump push immediate Syria cease-fire execution

By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS (AA) - In a phone call, the French and US presidents on Friday called for the "immediate" implementation of a cease-fire in Syria -- especially the besieged Eastern Ghouta enclave -- and said Russia must exert maximum pressure on the Syrian regime.

Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump discussed the situation in Syria and last weekend’s UN Security Council resolution calling for a 30-day cease-fire in Syria, according to a French presidential statement.

Macron and Trump agreed that "in the face of continuing indiscriminate shelling against civilians, particularly in Eastern Ghouta, and the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation" Russia must "exercise maximum, unambiguous pressure on the Damascus regime" to make clear its commitment to abide by the resolution.

"The presidents decided to work together for the implementation of Resolution 2401 to allow the cessation of hostilities, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the evacuation of the sick and wounded," said the statement.

Macron also stressed he remained "extremely vigilant" on the question of chemical weapons use in Syria and said France would give "a firm response in case of a proven use of chemical weapons resulting in civilian deaths."

"France and the United States will not tolerate impunity," added the statement.

Eastern Ghouta, a Damascus suburb, has been under siege for the last five years, and humanitarian access to the area, which is home to some 400,000 people, has been completely cut off.

In the past eight months, Syrian regime forces have intensified their siege of Eastern Ghouta, making it nearly impossible for food or medicine to get into the district and leaving thousands of patients in need of treatment.

Some 700 people are believed to have been killed by Syrian regime assaults over the past 10 days.