

A Tupolev Tu-22M3 Backfire long-range bomber hits ISIS targets in Syria's Aleppo, Deir Ez Zor and Idlib governorates. Best possible quality. (Sputnik Photo)
GENEVA, Aug. 18 -- The United Nations' Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said Thursday night he was informed that Russia was ready to support his proposal of a 48-hour ceasefire in order to provide humanitarian assistance to the Syrian city of Aleppo.
"The Special Envoy welcomes the Russian Federation statement, and the United Nations humanitarian team is now set to mobilize itself to respond to this challenge," the UN envoy said in a statement.
"The United Nations count on the Russian Federation to deliver their part, regarding, in particular, the adherence of the Syrian armed forces to the pause, once it comes into effect," he added.
The UN Official also urged "all those with access to or influence on the armed opposition", in particular the United States, to ensure that the armed opposition also respects the 48-hours humanitarian pause.
On Thursday morning, de Mistura sent a strong message by calling off a humanitarian taskforce meeting after only eight minutes because of the lack of progress on the ground and ongoing fighting between factions vying for control of the war-torn country, especially around Aleppo.
He also recalled the urgent need to install a 48-hour truce in Aleppo to give humanitarian convoys enough time to achieve meaningful aid deliveries.
"Today I suspended the meeting as a symbol of deep concern and as a sign of respect towards the World Humanitarian Day tomorrow," Staffan de Mistura explained after the shortest ever meeting between humanitarian taskforce members who convene here on a weekly basis Thursday morning.
"It is also a sign of deep unhappiness about the fact that due to the lack of a pause, no humanitarian aid is reaching anywhere in Syria at the moment except Deir-ez-Zor," he added.
According to the official, the situation in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, where two million civilians are trapped, is particularly alarming.
World's fastest bullet train to start operating next month
Huangluo: China's 'long hair village'
Spectacular bridge with one of the tallest piers in the world
Magnificent view of Hukou Waterfall
A glimpse of Stride 2016 Zhurihe B military drill
US Navy chief tours Liaoning aircraft carrier
Chinese American woman wins Miss Michigan
Centenarian couple takes first wedding photos
Traditional Tibetan costumes presented during fashion show
Top 10 livable Chinese cities
Top 20 hottest women in the world in 2014
Top 10 hardest languages to learn
China’s Top 10 Unique Bridges, Highways and Roads
Celebrity split grips nation, triggers debate on marriage
Chinese fans of S.Korean pop culture stay loyal despite rumored ban
Is bronze good enough for Chinese fans?
Foreign actors in China share their experience dramatizing one-dimensional and stereotyped rolesDay|Week