PARIS - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday that President Vladimir Putin confirmed Russia's commitment to a ceasefire that took hold in Syria last weekend during a phone conversation with four EU leaders. 'I would like to stress one more time that the commitment to hold the ceasefire was confirmed as a key message by the Russian president: only attacks on Daesh and al-Nusra Front,' Merkel said during a news conference with French President Francois Hollande. She was referring to US- and Russia-backed plans for a 'cessation of hostilities' in Syria that excludes groups such as Islamic State and al-Qaida's al-Nusra Front. Turning to EU talks with Turkey on Monday to discuss efforts to stem the flow of migrants reaching Europe, Merkel said: 'Our efforts are not done yet ... I understand that Turkey also expects Europe to deliver.'
(photo credit: The Jerusalem Post)