Nations agree to restart Syria peace talks

Vienna (AP) — The United States, Russia and more than a dozen other nations have directed the U.N. to begin a new diplomatic process with Syria's government and opposition with the goal of reaching a nationwide cease-fire and political transition.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made the announcement at a joint news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the U.N. envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura.

Kerry made no declarations about the future of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Russia and Iran back Assad; the U.S. and its allies want him ousted.

Kerry said the U.N.-led process should lead to a new constitution for Syria and internationally supervised elections.

By Bradley Klapper and George Jahn, Associated Press. Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – October 30, 2015 @ 1 p.m.