Syria at peace talks says ceasefire depends on Turkey

Syria's representative at peace talks in Kazakhstan on Friday said the success of a ceasefire in the northwestern region of Idlib would depend on Turkey disarming rebels of heavy weapons and implementing a buffer zone.

Syrian negotiator Bashar Jaafari attacked the Turkish military presence in the northwest of the country and called Syria's ceasefire statement on Thursday "a test of Turkey's intentions".

The comments came during the second day of talks brokered by Syria's allies Russia and Iran, along with rebel-backer Turkey.

Jaafari also called on the guarantors of the talks to assume "their responsiblities by putting pressure on Turkey" to fulfil the conditions of an accord struck last year.

"The ceasefire agreement is conditioned on Turkey upholding the Astana and Sochi agreements by disarming terrorists of heavy and medium weapons," Jaafari said.

Jaafari accused the militant groups of shelling areas under regime control in northwest Syria "from areas Turkey controls in Idlib."