United Nations, December 29 (RHC)-- Incoming UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says the crisis in Syria "has become a cancer on a global scale."  Guterres made the remarks during an interview with Portugal's SIC television channel on Wednesday.  He also expressed hope that the U.S. and Russia would solve their differences on how the conflict should end.

Washington and its Western allies support the anti-government militancy in Syria, while Russia supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.  The former Portuguese prime minister also noted that the conflict has caused "not only the suffering of the Syrian people" but also ignites "violent reactions which in some cases lead to terrorist acts."   He referred to the war as a "global threat," which he said cannot end unless the international community finds a way to settle it.

Meanwhile, Russia and Turkey have agreed on a nationwide ceasefire plan between the Syrian government and the armed opposition groups, said Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.