BEIRUT (AP) – The Syrian military declared a unilateral, three-day cease-fire for the entire country on Wednesday, coinciding with the start of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holidays that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, state media reported.
The truce is to expire at midnight Friday, according to the state TV report.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was quick to welcome the declaration, saying discussions were underway with Russia and other parties to expand it. Kerry appealed to all parties to honor it to allow for some respite in the country’s ongoing bloodshed.
“We very much welcome the Syrian Army declaration of the 72-hour period of quiet in celebration of and in honor of Eid,” Kerry said during a visit to Tbilisi, Georgia. “We are trying very hard to grow these current discussions in a longer-lasting, real, enforceable, cessation of hostilities.”
“We hope that the 72 hours could perhaps be a harbinger of possibilities to come,” he added.