The United States and other world powers will seek to bridge gaps with Iran and Russian Federation, supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
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Assad has “cut his own deal” with Islamic State, buying oil from the group and failing to attack militants, Kerry said.
Assad stressed the importance of adopting new policies that could be efficient in curbing the support of terror groups, by drying up their resources and halting their logistic and political support until finally eliminating them completely.
Shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn also insisted the focus should be on finding a political solution to the crisis in Syria before extending any military action. Those groups that do not agree to stop fighting risk being branded terrorists, a designation that now is applied only to the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaida’s Syrian affiliate.
Following the talks, US Secretary of State John Kerry said negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition should start by January 1. Earlier on Friday, Hammond said at a news conference in Prague: “We believe that Bashar al-Assad has to go as part of the transition in Syria but we recognize that there will be a transition, he may play a part in that up to a point of departure”.
The participants also agreed on a set calendar for a transition government in Syria within six months and elections in 18 months.
He told Murnaghan that Labour would consider any proposal brought forward by the Government but “there has to be a comprehensive plan if you are really going to end the threat from Isil/Daesh and that needs to come forward”.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said government delegates have already been chosen, while a group from the opposition will be chosen by United Nations special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura.
Syria as a breeding ground for terrorism moved Saturday to the foreground of a meeting of foreign ministers on the war in that country, with participants linking the shooting and bombing attacks in Paris to Mideast turmoil and the opportunities it gives for terror.
The statement did not make clear how those groups would be chosen, but said they should follow principles such as committing to Syria’s “non-sectarian character” and keeping state institutions intact. “Of course we need to be hopeful for the future, but we need more time”, Sieda said on the sidelines of the Vienna talks.
But Lavrov said the conflict – or its solution – is “not about Assad”. “We have seen nothing to lead us to a different conclusion”, he said in French after the talks.
“Thirdly, it’s got to be done in a way that involves the global community because it can only be done by the worldwide community as a whole”. “The best response to this is actually coming together, overcoming our differences, and trying together to lead the way towards peace in Syria”. The conflict has so far cost about 250,000 lives, sent millions fleeing the region, and triggered Europe’s worst refugee crisis since World War II.
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The top Sunni Muslim religious authority in Saudi Arabia, the council of senior ulemas, said the attacks which also wounded 300 people were “contrary to Islam and its principles”.
