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• Paris urges funding for Syrian opposition

  January 28, 2013 5:21 AM

  PARIS (AP) France pleaded on Monday for countries to keep their promises of funding and other aid to the Syrian opposition or risk compromising the legitimacy of the coalition in the eyes of the people fighting the regime of Bashar Assad. "We have to give the Syrian people a clear... more »

• Syria talks end in Geneva without solution

  January 11, 2013 11:59 AM

  GENEVA (AP) International envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said Friday that Russia seems as determined as the United States to end Syria's civil war, but that he doesn't expect a political solution to emerge anytime soon. Brahimi, who is the joint U.N.-Arab League envoy for Syria, spent the day at the United... more »

• Syria talks end in Geneva without solution

  January 11, 2013 11:29 AM

  GENEVA (AP) International envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said Friday that Russia seems as determined as the United States to end Syria's civil war, but that he doesn't expect a political solution to emerge anytime soon. Brahimi, who is the joint U.N.-Arab League envoy for Syria, spent the day at the United... more »

• UN envoy discusses Syria with US, Russia

  January 11, 2013 7:39 AM

  GENEVA (AP) International envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is meeting with senior Russian and United States diplomats in an attempt to find a political solution to Syria's conflict, which has claimed more than 60,000 lives. Brahimi, who is the joint U.N.-Arab League envoy for Syria, arrived Friday morning at the U.N.'s European... more »

• UN envoy meets US, Russia for Syria talks

  January 11, 2013 5:04 AM

  GENEVA (AP) International envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is meeting with senior Russian and United States diplomats in an attempt to find a political solution to Syria's conflict that has so far claimed over 60,000 lives. Brahimi, who is the joint U.N.-Arab League envoy for Syria, arrived Friday morning at the U.N.'s... more »

• UN envoy to Syria to visit Russia this weekend

  December 26, 2012 8:51 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) The international envoy on Syria will visit Moscow this weekend for talks on the crisis, a senior Russian diplomat said Wednesday. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that U.N.-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi will arrive in Moscow on one-day visit Saturday, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency. Brahimi... more »

• UN envoy to Syria to visit Russia this weekend

  December 26, 2012 7:56 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia's Foreign Ministry says the international envoy on Syria will visit Moscow this weekend. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Wednesday that U.N.-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi will arrive in Moscow on one-day visit Saturday, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency. Brahimi met Monday in Damascus with Syrian... more »

• 114 countries back new Syrian coalition

  December 12, 2012 11:34 AM

  MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) More than 100 countries on Wednesday recognized a new Syrian opposition coalition, further isolating the regime and opening the way for greater humanitarian assistance to the forces battling Bashar Assad. The opposition has been under intense international pressure to create a more organized and representative body to... more »

• France: 100 countries back new Syrian coalition

  December 12, 2012 8:43 AM

  MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) More than 100 countries on Wednesday recognized a new Syrian opposition coalition, opening the way for greater humanitarian assistance to the forces battling Bashar Assad and possibly even military aid, France's foreign minister said. The formation of the Syrian National Coalition appears to be the step the... more »

• US backs new Syrian opposition ahead of conference

  December 12, 2012 2:40 AM

  MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) The fourth conference for the "Friends of the Syrian People" was set to open Wednesday after the U.S. said the new Syrian opposition coalition is the "sole legitimate representative" of the Syrian people. The U.S. move, announced by President Barack Obama late Tuesday, follows that of France... more »

• US expected to back Syrian opposition at meeting

  December 11, 2012 11:01 PM

  MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) The fourth conference for the "Friends of the Syrian People" is set to open with expectations that the U.S. will give its backing to the new Syrian opposition coalition. More than a hundred delegates, including from the U.S., France, Britain and the Gulf countries, are gathering in... more »

• Turkey: Syrian regime resembles armed militia

  December 1, 2012 5:06 AM

  ISTANBUL (AP) Turkey's foreign minister says the Syrian regime has degenerated into an "armed militia" that resorts to brutality in an attempt to stay in power. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu spoke Saturday at an Istanbul meeting attended by Arab foreign ministers who expressed opposition to the Syrian government. The ministers... more »

• Obama re-election signals new phase in Syria war

  November 7, 2012 5:47 AM

  ZAATARI, Jordan (AP) Western efforts to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad shifted dramatically Wednesday, with Britain saying it will deal directly with rebel military leaders and Turkey saying NATO members have discussed protecting a safe zone inside Syria with Patriot missiles. The developments came within hours of President Barack Obama's... more »

• Obama re-election signals new phase in Syria war

  November 7, 2012 5:23 AM

  ZAATARI, Jordan (AP) Within hours of President Barack Obama's re-election the deadlocked Syrian conflict moved into a new phase Wednesday, with Britain's prime minister urging the U.S. to join him in working directly with Syrian rebels and Turkey saying Washington has discussed protecting a safe zone inside Syria with Patriot... more »

• Turkish PM: Too soon to call for Syria no-fly zone

  October 31, 2012 11:52 AM

  BERLIN (AP) Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday it is up to the U.N. Security Council to decide whether a no-fly zone should be imposed on Syria or safe areas created for people fleeing the civil war. His comments during a visit to Germany appeared more moderate than... more »

• Turkish PM: Too soon to call for Syria no-fly zone

  October 31, 2012 11:17 AM

  BERLIN (AP) Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday it is up to the U.N. Security Council to decide whether a no-fly zone should be imposed on Syria or safe areas created for people fleeing the civil war. His comments during a visit to Germany appeared more moderate than... more »

• Turkish PM: Too soon to call for Syria no-fly zone

  October 31, 2012 8:39 AM

  BERLIN (AP) Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says it is up to the U.N. Security Council to decide whether a no-fly zone should be imposed on Syria or safe areas created for civilians fleeing the civil war. Erdogan has been one of the sharpest critics of Syrian President Bashar... more »

• UN chief: Both sides in Syria violating rights

  September 4, 2012 5:45 PM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon accused both the Syrian government and the opposition Tuesday of large-scale human rights violations, including torturing and reportedly executing prisoners and failing to protect civilians fleeing the war-ravaged country in record numbers. In an address to the U.N. General Assembly, Ban demanded that... more »

• Germany urges Syria opposition to ready transition

  September 4, 2012 4:49 AM

  BERLIN (AP) Germany's foreign minister is pressing disparate Syrian opposition groups to unite in preparation for the collapse of the Bashar Assad regime. Guido Westerwelle is also urging the international community to be ready to provide economic support. Berlin hosted a gathering of Syrian opposition representatives and diplomats Tuesday to... more »

• Russian FM: All sides should stop Syria violence

  September 1, 2012 8:02 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia's foreign minister is urging other countries to try to persuade all sides in the Syrian conflict to stop the violence. Sergey Lavrov said Saturday that although the international community is united in its desire to see an end to Syria's bloodshed, there are "rather serious disagreements" on... more »

• Turkey appeals to UN council for Syria safe zone

  August 30, 2012 5:52 PM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) Turkey appealed to a reluctant UN Security Council Thursday for a safe haven for thousands of Syrians facing a "humanitarian disaster" as Britain and France said they would rule out no options including a no-fly zone to aid residents fleeing an escalating civil war. But Turkish leaders... more »

• France would recognize Syrian opposition govt

  August 27, 2012 2:53 PM

  PARIS (AP) French President Francois Hollande urged Syria's divided opposition on Monday to form a provisional government, promising that France would recognize it in hope of accelerating the departure of President Bashar Assad's regime as the violence escalates in the Arab country. The French leader, clearly frustrated with reticence from... more »

• France would recognize Syrian opposition govt

  August 27, 2012 11:33 AM

  PARIS (AP) French President Francois Hollande called on Syria's opposition to form a provisional government, saying Monday that France would recognize it once such a government is formed. The announcement from Hollande, in a speech to France's ambassadors, amounts to an attempt to ratchet up diplomatic pressure on Syrian President... more »

• New Syria envoy Brahimi meets with Ban at UN

  August 24, 2012 11:32 AM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) The new U.N.-Arab League envoy to Syria is meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Ban said Lakhdar Brahimi's extraordinary talent and expertise will be needed for the "crucial task of bringing peace and stability to Syria and promoting human rights there," Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirky said Friday.... more »

• Russia: West 'instigating' Syrian opposition

  August 22, 2012 8:47 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia says Western powers are "openly instigating" Syrian opposition groups to take up arms in their fight to unseat President Bashar Assad. Moscow has been Syria's key protector throughout the 17-month uprising that evolved into a full-blown civil war, shielding Assad's regime from international sanctions and providing it... more »

• Syrian minister warns US against intervention

  August 21, 2012 11:54 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) President Barack Obama's warning over chemical weapons in Syria indicates the West is looking for a pretext for military intervention, a senior Syrian government official said Tuesday following talks in Moscow. Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil warned against any such intervention. "Those who are contemplating this evidently... more »

• Clinton visits Turkey for talks on Syria

  August 11, 2012 4:33 AM

  ISTANBUL (AP) U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton opened talks in Turkey on Saturday with Turkish officials as well as Syrian opposition figures on how to undermine the Syrian regime and lay the groundwork for a democratic transition. Clinton met Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and was scheduled to... more »

• Clinton visits Turkey for talks on Syria

  August 11, 2012 4:08 AM

  ISTANBUL (AP) U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is in Turkey for talks with Turkish officials as well as Syrian opposition figures on how to undermine the Syrian regime and lay the groundwork for a democratic transition. Clinton also plans to meet Syrian refugees in Istanbul during her visit... more »

• Clinton visits Turkey for talks on Syria

  August 11, 2012 3:13 AM

  ISTANBUL (AP) U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is in Turkey for talks with Turkish officials as well as Syrian opposition figures on how to undermine the Syrian regime and lay the groundwork for a democratic transition. Clinton also plans to meet Syrian refugees in Istanbul during her visit... more »

• EU tightens arms embargo on Syria

  July 23, 2012 5:41 AM

  BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union on Monday tightened sanctions on Syria and required member nations to board ships and airplanes carrying suspicious cargo to the country, as foreign ministers warned that the escalating violence there was sparking a refugee crisis for its neighbors. The 27 EU ministers added 29 names... more »

• EU to tighten arms embargo on Syria

  July 23, 2012 3:45 AM

  BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union will enforce an existing arms embargo against Syria by requiring member nations to board ships and aircraft carrying suspicious cargo to the war-torn nation. Foreign ministers meeting in Brussels endorsed the measure on Monday and also added 26 Syrian individuals and three companies to the... more »

• EU to tighten arms embargo on Syria

  July 23, 2012 2:44 AM

  BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union foreign chief says the escalating bloodshed in Syria was sparking concerns that the conflict may spill over into neighboring countries. EU foreign ministers are scheduled to endorse a plan Monday that would enforce the existing arms embargo by asking the member nations to board ships... more »

• Annan urged delay, now hopes UN will act on Syria

  July 19, 2012 5:19 AM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. Security Council's plan to vote on Syria comes after a request from U.N. envoy Kofi Annan that the five permanent members not meet until they reach agreement. Annan's spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said Thursday that Annan had urged the members to delay their meeting until agreement... more »

• UN vote on Syria delayed until Thursday

  July 18, 2012 11:52 AM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. Security Council has delayed a vote on a new Syria resolution until Thursday in a last-minute effort to get key Western nations and Russia to reach agreement on measures to end the dramatically escalating violence. International envoy Kofi Annan urged the council to delay Wednesday's... more »

• Russia accuses West of inciting Syrian opposition

  July 18, 2012 8:54 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia on Wednesday accused the West of inciting the Syrian opposition after the defense minister and President Bashar Assad's brother-in-law were killed in a bomb attack, arguing that a proposed U.N. resolution amounted to support for the rebels and would lead to more bloodshed. Russia, a longtime Syria... more »

• Putin, Annan meet on Syria crisis

  July 17, 2012 5:50 PM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia's foreign minister on Tuesday said Moscow is ready to seek consensus in the U.N. Security Council on a new resolution aimed at ending Syria's civil war, but gave no indication how it would resolve a disagreement over a Britain-sponsored resolution. Moscow's draft resolution calls for the "immediate... more »

• Putin, Annan meet on Syria crisis

  July 17, 2012 8:43 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) The UN and Arab League envoy to the Syrian crisis has begun his meeting with the Russian president by saying that Syria is at a crossroads, as violence escalates. Vladimir Putin adamantly opposes any international military intervention, and has strongly supported envoy Kofi Annan's plan for ending the... more »

• Russia accuses West of blackmail on Syria plans

  July 16, 2012 5:32 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia on Monday accused the West of effectively trying to use blackmail to secure a new U.N. Security Council resolution that would authorize the use of force in Syria. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's comments came ahead of a meeting with Kofi Annan, the United Nations and Arab League... more »

• Russia accuses West of blackmail on Syria plans

  July 16, 2012 4:17 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia is accusing the West of using blackmail to secure a new U.N. Security Council resolution that would authorize the use of force in Syria. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday the Western threats to discontinue the 300-strong U.N. unarmed observer mission to Syria if Russia does... more »

• UN chief urges council action after new attack

  July 13, 2012 2:56 PM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and international envoy Kofi Annan stepped up pressure on the divided U.N. Security Council on Friday, urging that it demand a halt to the escalating violence in Syria and promise "consequences" if the conflict doesn't end. The U.N. chief and the joint U.N.-Arab League... more »

• Syrian opposition blames Russia for suffering

  July 11, 2012 8:29 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) The head of a prominent Syrian opposition group has strongly criticized Russia's position on the country's conflict during a visit to Moscow. Hours after meeting with Russia's foreign minister, Syrian National Council leader Abdelbaset Sieda on Wednesday told a news conference that "The Syrian people are suffering because... more »

• Diplomats press Assad, top Syrian general defects

  July 6, 2012 2:50 AM

  PARIS (AP) A Western official says a member of President Bashar Assad's inner circle has defected, dealing a major blow to the Syrian leader. The official said Friday that Syrian Brig. Gen. Manaf Tlass had abandoned Assad's regime. Tlaas was a member of the elite Republican Guards and a son... more »

• NATO urges UN to enforce Syrian peace plan

  July 2, 2012 8:36 AM

  BRUSSELS (AP) NATO is urging the United Nations to enforce the peace plan for Syria endorsed by an international conference in Geneva. Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Monday that the conflict in the Arab state was risking the stability of the entire region. On Saturday, the conference endorsed a U.N.-brokered... more »

• Nations start formal talks on Syria

  June 30, 2012 5:12 AM

  GENEVA (AP) Russia, the U.S. and other major powers have begun closed-door talks aimed at finding a political solution for Syria and ending 16 months of brutal violence. International envoy Kofi Annan was on Saturday convening the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council Britain, China, France, Russia and... more »

• Russia denies it endorsed call for Assad to leave

  June 28, 2012 5:43 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia on Thursday said it would not endorse a call for Syrian President Bashar Assad to give up power and criticized as inappropriate U.S. comments that it had agreed to plans for a new national unity government in Syria that could include the opposition. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov... more »

• Russia denies it backs Syria transition

  June 28, 2012 4:22 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia is denying comments by a U.S. official that it has endorsed a Syrian transition plan that includes a call for President Bashar Assad to give up power in favor of a national unity government. A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the official was... more »

• World powers to discuss Syria in Geneva

  June 27, 2012 2:59 AM

  GENEVA (AP) World powers are going to meet in Geneva on Saturday in an attempt to find ways of ending the violence in Syria, senior diplomats at the United Nations said. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be joined by other top diplomats... more »

• World powers to discuss Syria in Geneva

  June 27, 2012 2:18 AM

  GENEVA (AP) A senior diplomat at the United Nations says world powers will gather in Geneva this weekend to discuss ways of ending the violence in Syria. The diplomat told the AP that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov have both said they... more »

• NATO envoys to discuss downing of Turkish jet

  June 26, 2012 2:47 AM

  BRUSSELS (AP) Turkey will brief NATO's governing body on the downing by Syria of a Turkish reconnaissance plane over the Mediterranean Sea, officials said Tuesday. The discussions will be held under Article 4 of NATO's founding treaty, which allows a NATO member, in this case Turkey, to request consultations if... more »

• NATO envoys to discuss downing of Turkish jet

  June 26, 2012 2:13 AM

  BRUSSELS (AP) Turkey will brief NATO's governing body on the downing by Syria of a Turkish reconnaissance plane over the Mediterranean Sea. Officials and diplomats say the discussions on Tuesday will be held under Article 4 of NATO's founding treaty, which allows a NATO member, in this case Turkey, to... more »

• EU ministers to condemn downing of Turkish jet

  June 25, 2012 8:53 AM

  LUXEMBOURG (AP) EU foreign ministers on Monday condemned Syria's downing of a Turkish jet, but said the bloc will not support military action in the troubled country. "What happened is to be considered very seriously (but) we do not go for any interventions," Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal. German Foreign... more »

• EU ministers to condemn downing of Turkish jet

  June 25, 2012 5:34 AM

  LUXEMBOURG (AP) EU foreign ministers on Monday condemned Syria's downing of a Turkish jet, but said the bloc will not support military action in the troubled country. "What happened is to be considered very seriously (but) we do not go for any interventions," Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal. German Foreign... more »

• UN observers committed to staying in Syria

  June 19, 2012 8:37 PM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) The head of the U.N. observer mission in Syria said Tuesday that U.N. forces have come under fire multiple times recently but are committed to staying in the strife-torn country. Maj. Gen. Robert Mood said after a private briefing of the Security Council that questions about canceling... more »

• Russia says no talk on Syria's post-Assad future

  June 15, 2012 5:30 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia's foreign minister said Friday that Moscow isn't discussing Syria's future without President Bashar Assad as Washington has claimed. Sergey Lavrov denied Thursday's statement by State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland that Moscow and Washington "are continuing to talk about a post-Assad transition strategy." Lavrov told a news conference... more »

• Russia says no talk on Syria's post-Assad future

  June 15, 2012 4:44 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia's foreign minister says Moscow isn't discussing Syria's future without President Bashar Assad as Washington has claimed. Sergey Lavrov denied Thursday's statement by State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland that Moscow and Washington were discussing a post-Assad transition strategy. Lavrov told a news conference Friday that Russia believes it's... more »

• Annan wants powers to 'twist arms' over Syria

  June 12, 2012 5:35 AM

  GENEVA (AP) The U.N.'s special envoy on Syria has asked governments with influence to "twist arms" to halt the escalating violence in the country, his spokesman said Tuesday. Ahmad Fawzi said former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is also working to convene a diplomatic meeting soon to discuss the situation in... more »

• Annan may urge powers to 'twist arms' on Syria

  June 12, 2012 4:09 AM

  GENEVA (AP) A spokesman for Kofi Annan says the U.N.'s envoy on Syria could be forced to ask governments with influence to "twist arms" to enforce the peace plan for the country. Ahmad Fawzi told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that escalating violence in Syria mirrors the spike in fighting... more »

• UK: Use of force in Syria can't be ruled out

  June 11, 2012 11:20 AM

  LONDON (AP) Britain's foreign secretary says the U.K. won't rule out the use of an international military intervention in Syria to end the violence there. Hague told lawmakers on Monday that Britain was focused on diplomatic efforts, but would "not rule out any other option which could at any stage... more »

• Russian FM: Syria conflict becomes 'more alarming'

  June 9, 2012 8:54 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Saturday that Moscow's concern about Syria's conflict is growing but that Russia will continue to oppose the outside use of force. "The situation in Syria is becoming more alarming," Lavrov told a news conference at which he pushed Russia's proposal for an... more »

• Russian FM: Syria conflict becomes 'more alarming'

  June 9, 2012 7:29 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Moscow's concern about Syria's conflict is growing but that Russia will continue to oppose the outside use of force. Lavrov told reporters Saturday that "the situation is becoming more alarming" and that there is a growing impression the country is on the... more »

• China says it's not protecting Syria's Assad

  June 4, 2012 5:54 PM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) China is not trying to protect Syrian President Bashar Assad and will respect the will of the country's people on its future, China's U.N. ambassador said Monday. Li Baodong told reporters that China is calling on all parties in Syria to immediately implement international envoy Kofi Annan's... more »

• France: UN backing needed for Syria action

  June 4, 2012 8:43 AM

  BERLIN (AP) France's foreign minister says any action the international community takes regarding Syria must have U.N. authorization. Laurent Fabius also said after meeting his German counterpart Monday that no "durable solution" is possible while Syrian President Bashar Assad remains in power. But, he says "I believe the Syrian regime... more »

• AP Interview: UN official says no to Syria amnesty

  June 2, 2012 8:31 AM

  BRUSSELS (AP) The U.N.'s top human rights official said Saturday that there should be no amnesty for serious crimes committed in Syria, even if the threat of prosecution might motivate members of the regime to cling to power at all costs. Asked if Syrian President Bashar Assad should be allowed... more »

• AP Interview: UN official says no to Syria amnesty

  June 2, 2012 5:59 AM

  BRUSSELS (AP) The U.N.'s top human rights official said Saturday that there should be no amnesty for serious crimes committed in Syria, even if the threat of prosecution might motivate members of the regime to cling to power at all costs. Asked if Syrian President Bashar Assad should be allowed... more »

• AP Interview: UN official says no to Syria amnesty

  June 2, 2012 5:21 AM

  BRUSSELS (AP) The U.N.'s top human rights official said Saturday that there should be no amnesty for serious crimes committed in Syria, even if the threat of prosecution might motivate members of the regime to cling to power at all costs. Asked if Syrian President Bashar Assad should be allowed... more »

• AP Interview: UN official says no to Syria amnesty

  June 2, 2012 4:26 AM

  BRUSSELS (AP) The U.N.'s top human rights official says there should be no amnesty for crimes committed in Syria, even if potential prosecution might motivate members of the regime to cling to power at all costs. Asked Saturday by The Associated Press if she would oppose an agreement for Syrian... more »

• Syria opposition leader urges Arab military action

  June 1, 2012 12:44 PM

  DOHA, Qatar (AP) The head of Syria's largest exile opposition group says he would welcome Arab military action aimed at ending attacks by Bashar Assad's regime against Syrian rebel forces and civilians. Burhan Ghalioun, head of the Syrian National Council, made the comments on Saturday before a meeting of Arab... more »

• French president says Syria's Assad has to go

  June 1, 2012 12:44 PM

  PARIS (AP) France's president says the only way to end the violence in Syria is for its president, Bashar Assad, to go. Francois Hollande said Friday that pressure and sanctions would bring about the departure of Assad's regime and lead to a peaceful resolution. He added that he recognized that... more »

• Putin: will help find 'positive results' in Syria

  June 1, 2012 8:08 AM

  BERLIN (AP) President Vladimir Putin says Russia wants to help U.N. envoy Kofi Annan achieve "positive results" and prevent an all-out civil war in Syria. Putin, who spoke after meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Friday on his first trip abroad since returning to the presidency, rejected assertions that Moscow... more »

• UN rights chief warns of full civil war in Syria

  June 1, 2012 5:02 AM

  GENEVA (AP) The U.N.'s top human rights official is calling for the international community to support the Syria peace plan and a probe into the killing of more than 100 civilians in Houla last week. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay says that without this the country risks... more »

• Europeans want war crimes probe of Houla massacre

  June 1, 2012 2:52 AM

  GENEVA (AP) European countries want the U.N.'s top human rights body to propose a war crimes probe into last week's killing of over 100 people in Syria. Diplomats from the 27-nation European Union say they want an emergency meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council to pass a resolution that... more »

• UN chief urges Syria to stop attacks

  May 31, 2012 5:08 AM

  ISTANBUL (AP) U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Syria Thursday to stop its attacks, saying U.N. observers monitoring the cease-fire were not there to watch the killing of innocent people. "We are there to record violations and to speak out so that the perpetrators of crimes may be held to... more »

• UN chief urges Syria to stop attacks

  May 31, 2012 3:30 AM

  ISTANBUL (AP) U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on Syria to stop its attacks, saying U.N. observers monitoring the ceasefire were not there to watch the killings of innocent people. Ban was speaking Thursday at a summit of the Alliance of Civilizations, a forum promoting understanding between the Western and... more »

• Russia's FM says both sides in Syria to blame

  May 28, 2012 4:48 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia's foreign minister says both sides in the Syrian conflict "had a hand" in the deaths of more than 100 civilians in the town of Houla over the weekend. Sergey Lavrov says that "the area is controlled by the militants, but is also surrounded by government troops." He... more »

• Kofi Annan warns of risk of civil war in Syria

  May 8, 2012 3:23 AM

  GENEVA (AP) International envoy Kofi Annan says world powers share a "profound concern" that Syria's violence is spiraling into civil war but have pledged to deploy 300 truce monitors there by the end of the month. Annan said Tuesday in Geneva that there has been "a spate of bombings that... more »

• Ban calls Syrian repression 'intolerable'

  April 27, 2012 11:37 AM

  NEW DELHI (AP) U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the Syrian government's repression of its civilian population "has reached an unacceptable, intolerable stage." Speaking to reporters on a visit to India, Ban said he's "gravely alarmed" that killings continue, despite President Bashar Assad's commitment to end violence and withdraw troops and... more »

• Annan calls Syria situation 'bleak'

  April 24, 2012 12:09 PM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) International envoy Kofi Annan told the U.N. Security Council Tuesday that the situation in Syria is "bleak" and expressed alarm at reports that government troops are still carrying out military operations in towns where U.N. observers are not present. He expressed particular concern at media reports that... more »

• Satellites said to show Syria not abiding by truce

  April 24, 2012 12:09 PM

  GENEVA (AP) Satellite imagery and other credible reports show that, despite its claims, Syria has failed to withdraw all of its heavy weapons from populated areas as required by a cease-fire deal, international envoy Kofi Annan's spokesman said Tuesday. Annan, who was giving a speech in Sweden and briefing the... more »

• UN authorizes 300 Syria cease-fire observers

  April 21, 2012 10:26 AM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) The Security Council unanimously approved a resolution Saturday expanding the number of U.N. cease-fire observers in Syria from 30 to 300 and demanding an immediate halt to the violence that has been escalating since the government and opposition agreed to end hostilities more than a week ago.... more »

• UN aims to triple Syria observer team next week

  April 20, 2012 3:51 AM

  GENEVA (AP) The United Nations hopes to have 30 cease-fire monitors in Syria next week and plans are already being made for the deployment of up to 300, a spokesman for international envoy Kofi Annan said Friday, as France called on the international community to prepare for the possible failure... more »

• UN aims for up to 300 Syria cease-fire monitors

  April 20, 2012 3:51 AM

  GENEVA (AP) The United Nations hopes to have 30 cease-fire monitors in Syria next week and plans are already being made for the deployment of up to 300, a spokesman for international envoy Kofi Annan said Friday, as France called on the international community to prepare for the possible failure... more »

• UN aims to triple Syria observer team next week

  April 20, 2012 3:51 AM

  GENEVA (AP) A spokesman for international Syria envoy Kofi Annan says the United Nations hopes to have 30 cease-fire monitors in the country next week. Ahmad Fawzi says seven observers are already on the ground and another two will arrive on Monday. Fawzi told reporters in Geneva on Friday that... more »

• Rival European and Russia resolutions on Syria

  April 20, 2012 3:51 AM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) European nations and Russia have proposed rival U.N. resolutions that would expand the number of U.N. cease-fire monitors in Syria from 30 to 300. The key difference in the texts circulated Friday morning to the Security Council and obtained by The Associated Press is whether there should... more »

• Russia says only UN can judge Annan's plan

  April 18, 2012 8:19 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia's foreign minister has warned that the implementation of Kofi Annan's cease-fire plan for Syria can only be assessed by the United Nations. Sergey Lavrov warned Wednesday that groups such as the Friends of Syria should have no say in evaluating the plan's performance. Syrian forces have continued... more »

• Russia says only UN can judge Annan's plan

  April 18, 2012 8:19 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Russia's foreign minister warned Wednesday that the implementation of special envoy Kofi Annan's cease-fire plan for Syria can only be assessed by the United Nations. Sergey Lavrov said that groups such as the Friends of Syria should have no say in evaluating the plan's performance. Syrian forces have... more »

• Syria regime's finances cut in half by sanctions

  April 17, 2012 2:06 AM

  PARIS (AP) France's foreign minister says an array of international sanctions targeting Syria's repressive regime have depleted its financial reserves by half and Damascus is actively trying to evade them. Alain Juppe called Tuesday for a solid international response to such "maneuvers" as he opened a Paris meeting of 57... more »

• Syrian opposition hopes Russia to pressure Assad

  April 17, 2012 2:06 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Syrian opposition members say they have sensed a shift in Russia's stance on the conflict in their homeland and voiced hope Tuesday that Moscow will crank up pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime. On a visit to Moscow, Haytham Manna, spokeswoman for the Arab Commission for Human... more »

• Syrian opposition hopes Russia to pressure Assad

  April 17, 2012 2:06 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Syrian opposition members say they have sensed a shift in Russia's stance on the conflict in their homeland and voiced hope Tuesday that Moscow will crank up pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime. On a visit to Moscow, Haytham Manna, spokeswoman for the Arab Commission for Human... more »

• Allies work to coordinate sanctions on Syria

  April 17, 2012 2:06 AM

  PARIS (AP) Diplomats and finance ministry officials from the Arab world, the West and elsewhere are meeting to coordinate sanction measures taken against Syrian President Bashar Assad's repressive regime. The Arab League and the European Union are among more than 50 participants who want to keep up pressure on Assad... more »

• Syrian opposition delegation holds talks in Moscow

  April 16, 2012 1:16 AM

  MOSCOW (AP) Members of a Syrian opposition delegation said they had constructive talks with Russian diplomats in Moscow on Monday. Hassan Abdul-Azim, head of the opposition National Coordination Body, said their meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and other Russian diplomats was "impressive and positive." Abdul-Azim said the... more »

• Advance UN observer team for Syria on standby

  April 13, 2012 4:22 AM

  GENEVA (AP) An advance team of U.N. observers is ready to enter Syria, where the cease-fire has been "relatively respected" despite government troops and heavy weapons still in cities and continuing abuses, the spokesman for international envoy Kofi Annan said Friday. The advance team is "standing by to board planes... more »

• Advanced UN observer team for Syria on standby

  April 13, 2012 4:22 AM

  GENEVA (AP) The spokesman for international envoy Kofi Annan says an advance team of U.N. observers is ready to enter Syria, where the ceasefire is "relatively respected" despite government troops and heavy weapons still in population centers. Ahmad Fawzi says "we have the advanced team standing by to board planes... more »

• UN considering 30 military observers for Syria

  April 12, 2012 4:44 AM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) A draft resolution being considered by the U.N. Security Council would authorize a first group of up to 30 unarmed military observers to deploy to Syria to monitor a cease-fire between government forces and opposition fighters. The draft, obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, demands that the... more »

• UN chief says Syria must prove it wants peace

  April 12, 2012 4:44 AM

  GENEVA (AP) The U.N. chief says the "onus is on Syria" to keep the government's promise and hold to a cease-fire. Ban Ki-moon says that "as of this moment, the situation looks calmer" on the ground in Syria but that the cease-fire Thursday is "very fragile" and may be broken... more »

• Turkey could seek NATO's help to deal with Syria

  April 12, 2012 4:44 AM

  ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkey says it could seek NATO's help in case the Syrian troops violate its borders again. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters late Wednesday that "NATO has responsibilities to protect the Turkish border according to Article 5." He was referring to the article in the alliance's... more »

• UN chief warns Syria crisis is getting worse

  April 5, 2012 4:40 AM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday the crisis in Syria is getting worse and claiming more lives every day even though President Bashar Assad's government insists it is withdrawing troops ahead of a U.N. deadline to end the violence. The U.N. chief appealed to Assad "to show vision... more »

• Diplomats: UN backs Syria pullout by April 10

  April 5, 2012 4:40 AM

  UNITED NATIONS (AP) Diplomats say the U.N. Security Council has agreed on a statement endorsing the April 10 deadline for Syria to halt the use of troops and heavy weapons in cities and towns. The presidential statement, obtained by The Associated Press, raises the possibility of "further steps" if Syria... more »

• UN says Syria claims troop withdrawal has begun

  April 5, 2012 4:40 AM

  GENEVA (AP) The spokesman for U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan says Syria is claiming that it has already begun troop withdrawals in some areas. Ahmad Fawzi says officials with President Bashar Assad's government "have told us they have begun withdrawing troops from certain areas" of Syria, including Daraa, Idlib and... more »

• UN says Syria ceasfire to be in place by April 12

  April 5, 2012 4:40 AM

  GENEVA (AP) The United Nations expects a ceasfire between Syrian troops and opposition forces to be in place no later than April 12, a spokesman for the U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan said Thursday, as activists reported a fierce attack by government troops on a Damascus suburb. Kofi Annan's peace... more »

• UN expects Syria cease-fire in place by April 12

  April 5, 2012 4:40 AM

  GENEVA (AP) The United Nations expects a cease-fire between Syrian troops and opposition forces to be in place no later than April 12, a spokesman for the U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan said Thursday, as activists reported a fierce attack by government troops on a Damascus suburb. Kofi Annan's peace... more »