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Divisions surface at Geneva II conference

347111_Kerry-LavrovRussia and the United States have offered sharply contrasting views during the underway Geneva II conference on the Syrian crisis.

US Secretary of State John Kerry once again called for a regime change in Syria, insisting that President Bashar al-Assad should not be part of a transitional government.

“We see only one option, negotiating a transition government born by mutual consent,” Kerry said in his opening statement during the conference on Wednesday, adding, “Assad will not be part of that transition government.”

On Friday, he had also insisted Assad has no place in Syria’s future, not ruling out Washington’s increasing pressure on the Syrian head of state.

On the other hand, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov express his hope at the opening of the conference that all external players involved in the Syrian conflict would refrain from attempts to predetermine the outcomes of the conference, as well as any steps capable of disrupting the talks.

Meanwhile, during his speech at the conference, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem rejected Kerry’s assertion, saying only Syrians have the right to choose their president.

“No one, Mr. Kerry, no one can grant or withdraw the legitimacy of the president other than the Syrians themselves,” he said. “This is their right and duty.”

Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011. According to the UN, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced due to the unrest.

According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies — namely Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.

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