By LARA JAKES
US Secretary of State John Kerry, fourth from right, attends a meeting Tuesday Oct. 22, 2013, hosted by British Foreign Secretary William Hague, fourth from left, of the ‘London 11′, from the Friends of Syria Core Group, in Lancaster House, central London, aimed at ending the brutal civil war in Syria.(AP Photo/Oli Scarff, pool)
LONDON (AP) — British Foreign Secretary William Hague has emphasized Western leaders’ support for Syria’s moderate opposition as world leaders met in London to chart a map for Syrian peace talks.
Hague stressed Tuesday that efforts are being made to bring all sides to a negotiating table in Geneva — but stopped short of saying Syria’s opposition coalition has agreed to attend talks.
Hague said the focus is on securing a transitional government for Syria. But he made clear that Syrian President Bashar Assad would play no role in any such transitional government — which is a key demand of the Syrian opposition.
He said the opposition has the full support of Britain, the U.S. and the other leaders gathered in London and urged the opposition to commit itself fully to talks.
