International mediators opened a series of meetings with the Syrian Government and Opposition on Thursday in an 11th—hour bid to secure their participation in peace talks scheduled for the next day.

US President Barack Obama spoke via phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin on a number of issues namely the Syrian question and Iran’s nuclear programme.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius called on Wednesday, Jan 22, for immediate ceasefires in Syria and the opening of humanitarian corridors to deliver aid to civilians. Fabius, addressing an international conference in Switzerland, said: “This terrible situation, which is killing thousands of innocent women, children and