France: Syrian truce must be monitored "without delay"

The task force led by US and Russia is scheduled to meet with the UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, later on Monday.

Russia and the Syrian forces were accused of targeting the moderate opposition by Saudi Arabia and Riyadh-based Syrian opposition on Sunday, despite the truce deal.

"There have been some indications of ground attacks and airstrikes on areas controlled by moderate militant groups," Ayrault on Monday.

"Of course we will have to make sure this information is correct," he added.
 
The High Negotiations Committee [HNC], Syria's main opposition group, said it recorded 15 violations by Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's forces on the first day of the landmark truce.

"There were 15 violations by the regime forces on day one of the ceasefire, including two attacks in Zabadani [west of Damascus]," HNC's spokesman Salem al-Meslet said on Sunday.

Syrian military sources denied the army was violating the ceasefire.

The truce agreement does not include territory held by the Islamic State [IS] group and al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front, which together control more than half of Syria.

Russia, which has waged five months of intense airstrikes in support of Assad, said it had halted bombing in all areas covered by the truce.

But it has vowed to keep striking IS and al-Nusra and other "terrorist groups."

The Syrian opposition said it will stick to the truce agreement despite violations.

"Yesterday was the first day people can really go out and walk in the streets," al-Muslat said on Sunday.

The cessation of hostilities has largely held despite the reports of violations since it went into effect Friday at midnight.