aljazeera press

AFP, Washington –The leaders of the United States and France on Monday insisted UN-backed talks on Syria’s future were the only way forward, after a no-show by the Damascusgovernment.

Presidents Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone and agreed that the talks scheduled to open Tuesday in Geneva were the “only legitimate forum for achieving a political solution in Syria,” the White House said.

“Last night we received a message that the government would not travel toGeneva today. Naturally we hope, and indeed expect the government will be on its wayshortly,” UN Syria mediator Staffan de Mistura