US pushes Russia on 'true' Syria deal ahead of talksGeneva, Switzerland- US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet in Geneva Friday for high-level peace talks on Syria, with Washington warning its patience is wearing thin. The diplomatic news came after the US pressed Russia on Thursday for a "true cessation of hostilities" against a backdrop of continued military turmoil. Both sides have agreed that a deal must involve a durable ceasefire, humanitarian access to conflict-wracked areas and a resumption of peace talks. Moscow backs the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Ankara supports the opposition seeking his ouster. Syrian rebels supported by Turkish and coalition air strikes pushed further west into areas held by the Islamic State group in northern Syria.

Source: The China Post September 09, 2016 05:15 UTC