Syrian legislator praises aspects of plan to end war

In addition, while the United States continues to argue that Syria’s civil war will not end until Assad is removed from power, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed the opposite – noting how the fall of Saddam Hussein and Muammar el-Qaddafi only intensified the crises in their respective countries.

Arriving at the talks, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir called the Paris attacks, in which more than 100 people were killed, “heinous”, saying they violated “all the ethics, morals and religions”.

A round of talks in the Austrian capital, expected to focus on narrowing differences on the specifics of a political process leading to elections in Syria, turned instead to security and how to better fight Islamic State, also known as ISIL or Daesh.

Participants agreed that elections should be held within 18 months.

A British Government source said: “The G20 offers an opportunity for a number of the important players in Syria to be their together and to have a few discussions about the way forward, following on from the foreign ministers’ discussions in Vienna”.

Embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Saturday in a meeting with a French delegation that Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris are no different from attacks that took place in Beirut Thursday and events ongoing in the Syrian Civil War, the Syrian state-run SANA news agency reported.

“This terrorism does not differ from the terrorism that the Syrian people have suffered from every day for the past five years”, the groups said.

In over four years, fighting between Assad’s regime and rebel groups as well as Islamic State (IS) militants has killed over 250,000 people and forced millions into exile, leaving many of them stranded in neighbouring states.

“We have agreed with Syrian regime and Syrian opposition representatives to kick off a meeting under the supervision of United Nations”, Kerry said, adding: “We support a transition period within 6 months led by Syrians”.

Lavrov also said after transition political process within six month, the election would be held within 18 months, and led by Syrian people.

Jordan’s foreign minister, Nasser Judeh, said the Paris attack “reaffirms our collective commitment” to fight terror and extremism wherever it may occur, while European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said no one could turn away from the common threat.

“First, and before everything, we express our warm condolences to the French families who lost loved ones”, the letter said.

The peace talks involving 20 countries and organisations meeting in Vienna however remained deeply divided on the future of Assad, whose main regional ally has been Iran. If Assad is prepared for negotiations, he can be part of the that process in Syria, Kerry added.

Kerry said comments by Assad blaming France’s actions in Syria for the attacks in Paris, showed he “is not fit to be the leader of his country”.

Building on that, this round of talks will try to agree on a roadmap for peace that would include a ceasefire between Assad’s forces and a few opposition groups, diplomats say.