OBAMA, SAUDI KING SALMAN DISCUSS SYRIA, YEMEN

Washington, 16 Muharram 1437/29 October 2015 (MINA) – President Barack Obama and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz discussed the fight against Deash and creating conditions for political transition in Syria, during a phone call on Tuesday, the White House said Tuesday.

“They committed to increasing support for the moderate Syrian opposition and cooperating closely to build on the constructive talks in Vienna on Oct. 23 among Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Russia, and the United States,” said a statement, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Last week’s talks on Syria ended without a consensus on the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad but representatives from the four countries decided to continue talks despite differences.

Turkey, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia want Assad to leave, blaming him for the conflict that has caused the deaths of more than 250,000 victims as well as displacing more than half of the population.

Russia, on the other hand, wants Assad to remain at power as Moscow has been the key partner to the regime in the war-torn country.

Iran reportedly invited by Russia to the talks, may also participate in the meeting in Vienna.

The Yemeni talks aim to end the conflict rocking the country as well as allowing for the flow of humanitarian assistance into conflict areas.  (T/P010/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)