Syria Talks Produce Election Road Map Leading To Elections Within Two Years

Reuters: Syria talks produce election road map after Paris attacks

Russia, the United States and powers from Europe and the Middle East outlined a plan on Saturday for a political process in Syria leading to elections within two years, but differences remained on key issues such as President Bashar al-Assad's fate.

A day after gunmen and suicide bombers went on a rampage through Paris, killing at least 127 people, foreign ministers and senior officials from more than a dozen countries agreed to work for a ceasefire in Syria's civil war, but U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said it would not apply to Islamic State.

French President Francois Hollande pledged a "merciless response" to the attacks, which he said had been organized by the Islamist militant force. France is part of the U.S.-led coalition carrying out air strikes against the group in Syria and Iraq.

WNU Editor: This election roadmap for Syria reflects many of the key points that Russia has been pushing in the past two weeks .... Russia's Promising Peace Plan for Syria (Bloomberg editoial). More here on Russia's plans .... Putin Plan: The Russian President's Strategy for Syria (Spiegel Online). But there is one big problem with this roadmap .... the main Syrian groups have not agreed to it.

More News On Today's Syrian "Peace Talks"

Diplomats Set Plan for Political Change in Syria -- NYT/AP
Syrian Transition Plan Achieved by U.S., Allies, Kerry Says -- Bloomberg
World Powers Push Timetable for Syria Solution -- WSJ
Syria Talks Overshadowed by Paris Attack, but Progress Made -- VOA
World powers to push for Jan. 1 start of Syria negotiations, then cease-fire -- Washington Post
Foreign ministers of nearly 20 nations set plan for political change in Syria -- Washington Times
Kerry: World leaders take step to end Syria war and spreading terror concerns, but disagreements persist -- FOX News

Update: Russia sees the Syrian conflict (and talks) lasting into 2017 .... Russia Sees Syria War Endgame Stretching to 2017 as Talks Resume (Bloomberg).