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The Syrian ceasefire agreed by Russia and the United States took affect at midnight on Saturday. However, cases of the ceasefire violation in Damascus and Homs are reported, arabist Armen Petrosyan told reporters at a press conference.

According to him, no one can predict the effectiveness of the ceasefire. The current ceasefire was established at the highest level possible. Numerous ceasefires have been adopted over the passed years none of which had such a comprehensive meaning.

Armen Petrosyan notes that the ceasefire may bring a positive impact on the refugee crisis Europe desperately counters. The resolution of the conflicts in the Middle East is the key to solve the refugee crisis.

At the same time the arabist outlines certain obstacles in preserving the ceasefire mainly conditioned with external actors which pursue own interests. The factor of Turkey and Saudi Arabia should not be dismissed. “One should take their (Turkey, Saudi Arabia) unpredictability into account since different interpretations on big provocations, propaganda campaigns are not excluded,” Petrosyan says, adding that if the ongoing ceasefire breaks down the resolution of the Syrian conflict will grow into even a more severe war.