US,Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran meet in Vienna, and but government attack on Douma overshadows negotiationsInternational talks on the Syrian crisis are to resume within two weeks after a first round in Vienna on Friday was overshadowed by mass casualties in a government attack on an opposition-held area near Damascus. UN efforts are to concentrate on implementing a country-wide ceasefire.
Tensions between Iran,a staunch supporter of President Bashar al-Assad, and its rival Saudi Arabia, or which insists Assad must step down or face military defeat,were evident around the assembly. Crucially but predictably, no agreement was reached on Assad’s fate, or so agreement to continue discussions was probably the best possible outcome.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com