US, Russia continue Syria discussions

US and Russia continue discussions on a post-Assad transition strategy despite some disagreements on approaches to the settlement of a political crisis in Syria.

The US and Russia are continuing discussions on a post-Assad transition strategy despite some disagreements on approaches to the settlement of a political crisis in Syria, according to the US State Department.

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US Deputy State Secretary Robert Burns met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday on the sidelines of the Hearts of Asia ministerial meeting in Kabul to discuss a wide range of issues, including the situation in Syria.

"It was a constructive conversation. I won't say there aren't still gaps. There are still gaps, but it was a constructive conversation. And we're continuing to talk to the Russians about this (crisis in Syria)," State department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said at a news briefing on Thursday.

Russia has twice - along with China - vetoed UN resolutions against Damascus over what it calls a pro-rebel bias, but has, however, fully backed UN-Arab envoy Kofi Annan's six-point plan.

Annan's plan calls for withdrawal of heavy weaponry from urban areas and a ceasefire to end 15-months of spiralling violence in Syria.