12 dead as Philippine troops clash with militants
The two leaders are expected to exchange their opinions about the most urgent global concerns, including the Syrian crisis and Middle Eastern peace settlement.
Lavrov, Kerry discuss Syria, N Korea
Speaking on the telephone Sunday, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his US counterpart John Kerry looked into ways to stop violence and start up a dialogue in Syria and deal with the defiant behavior by North Korea.
They condemned that Northeast Asian country for sticking to its nuclear testing programme.
They also agreed to stay in contact and meet in person in the near future.
Brahimi urges talks between Syrian opposition and government delegation
International mediator Lakhdar Brahimi called on Sunday for talks between the Syrian opposition and an "acceptable delegation" from the Damascus government on a political solution to the country's 23-month-old civil war.
After talks at Arab League headquarters, Brahimi said negotiations could begin on United Nations premises. He gave no specific location.
The peace initiative announced last week by Moaz Alkhatib, leader of the opposition Syrian National Coalition, "has opened the door, and the Syrian government has said in truth that it confirms what it has been continuously saying, that it is ready for dialogue and for a peaceful solution.
"We believe that if a dialogue begins at the offices of the United Nations, at least at the start, between the opposition and an acceptable delegation from the Syrian government, we think this will be a start to get out of the dark tunnel."
It was unclear whether he had received any new confirmation of Syria's willingness to enter into talks with Alkhatib and the SNC.
Voice of Russia, Interfax, TASS, Reuters
