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                      US Gulf Allies Move Forward on Syria

   by Pamela Dockins

   The U.S. and its Gulf allies have "clarity" on how to precede on the
   initial steps in talks that could lead to a political transition in
   Syria, says Secretary of State John Kerry.

   He commented from Riyadh Saturday following talks with Saudi officials
   and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

   Kerry said there was agreement that the International Syria Support
   Group would meet "immediately" after the first round of the U.N.-led
   Syria talks, which are planned for next week in Geneva.

   "We want to keep the process moving," said Kerry, to bring the process
   of a transition in Syria "into a reality."

   ''Saudi Arabia, Iran and the U.S. are among the world powers that make
   up the support group that has been backing the U.N.-led process.

   US Iran relations
   The meeting between Kerry and U.S. Gulf allies has come on the heels on
   what some have perceived as a warming of ties between the U.S. and Iran
   following last week's implementation of the nuclear deal, a prisoner
   swap and U.S. negotiations that resulted in the release of 10 detained
   sailors.

   In the joint news conference with Kerry, however, Saudi Foreign
   Minister Adel al-Jubeir struck a conciliatory tone concerning his
   country, saying he did not see a "coming together" of the U.S. and
   Iran.

   He also said he did not believe the U.S. was under any "illusions"
   about what "kind of government Iran is."

   ''

   Kerry and Jubeir sat side-by-side, and appeared comfortable with each
   other as they discussed tensions in the region.

   Kerry is on the second leg of a five-nation tour that will also include
   stops in Laos, Cambodia and also China, where he will focus on efforts
   to coordinate an international response to North Korea's test of what
   it claimed was a nuclear device.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-gulf-allies-move-forward-on-syria/
   3159556.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-gulf-allies-move-forward-on-syria/3159556.html