BREAKING NEWS

France backs Astana Syria truce objectives, insists on credible opposition

PARIS  - France said on Tuesday it supported the objective of consolidating a nationwide ceasefire in Syria at proposed talks in the Kazak capital Astana later this month, but said the talks needed to have a credible and large opposition representation.
Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told his Turkish counterpart that Paris "confirmed its support for the announced objectives ... and insisted on the importance of a large and credible opposition presence," Foreign ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said in a daily briefing.
He added that negotiations had to be within the framework of United Security Council resolution 2254 and Geneva communique leading to a political transition.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier he had information that some European countries were considering wrecking Syria peace talks because they felt left out.