GENEVA

The EU on Saturday welcomed the ceasefire agreement brokered between Syria and Israel with the backing of the US and regional partners, saying the truce "must now be fully respected."

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced on Saturday an “immediate ceasefire” in Suwayda province, where clashes between Bedouin tribes and the Druze community began on July 13. Israel had also intervened on the pretext of protecting the minority group.

In a statement issued by EU Spokesman for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Anouar El Anouni, the bloc pressed all parties "to immediately stop all acts of violence, to protect all civilians without distinction, and to take immediate steps to prevent incitement and sectarian discourse."

It also called on Israel and other foreign actors "to fully respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Expressing dismay at the "hundreds of victims of the last days' violence," the bloc singled out reports of armed groups attacking unarmed civilians and demanded that "all perpetrators of grave violations of international humanitarian law be held accountable … including with the support of relevant international mechanisms."

Brussels urged a "truly inclusive transition," saying Syria's transitional and local authorities must protect all Syrians, advance disarmament and demobilisation, and restructure security forces in line with international standards.

"The EU stands ready to assist in these endeavours and in supporting a peaceful and inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition," the statement concluded.