Russia says increased chance of Syria peace talks ‘soon’

Russia said Tuesday that the chances of holding a peace conference on the Syrian conflict soon had increased after talks at the G8 summit.

Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said the world powers meeting in Northern Ireland had made progress towards agreeing a common line on Syria and the chances of holding a peace conference soon “have increased”.

Ryabkov however reiterated Russia’s stance that the Syrian people alone could decide the fate of President Bashar al-Assad.

“The last word… on how this will be proceeding rests with the Syrians,” he told reporters.