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David Cameron to call for new Syria peace drive at UN David Cameron to call for new Syria peace drive at UN
(about 3 hours later)
David Cameron will call for a new diplomatic drive to end Syria's civil war as he meets world leaders at the United Nations in New York.David Cameron will call for a new diplomatic drive to end Syria's civil war as he meets world leaders at the United Nations in New York.
The UK prime minister is expected to drop his opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad playing a role in any transitional government.The UK prime minister is expected to drop his opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad playing a role in any transitional government.
But he is expected to insist Mr Assad stands down to allow reconciliation. But he said Mr Assad "can't be part of Syria's future".
US Secretary of State John Kerry said he hopes the talks can help find a political solution to Syria's crisis.US Secretary of State John Kerry said he hopes the talks can help find a political solution to Syria's crisis.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama will be among other leaders attending the 70th anniversary meeting of the UN General Assembly.Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama will be among other leaders attending the 70th anniversary meeting of the UN General Assembly.
En route to New York, Mr Cameron told reporters that President Assad had "butchered his own people" and was "one of the great recruiting sergeants" for so-called Islamic State.
"He can't play a part in the future of Syria and that position hasn't changed," the PM continued.
"Obviously conversations about how we bring about transition are very important and that's what we need to see greater emphasis on."
Despite signalling Mr Cameron would be prepared to discuss Mr Assad's involvement in a political transition, one senior British official told the Press Association: "The prime minister's view is still very clearly that in the endgame you need a different leader to build a peaceful and inclusive Syria."
Asked if he believed Mr Assad should face prosecution at the International Criminal Court, Mr Cameron said: "People who break international law should be subject to international law."
Meanwhile, France has carried out its first air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria. President Francois Hollande's office said that French planes struck targets identified during reconnaissance missions conducted over the past fortnight.Meanwhile, France has carried out its first air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria. President Francois Hollande's office said that French planes struck targets identified during reconnaissance missions conducted over the past fortnight.
In New York Mr Cameron is also expected to use a series of meetings with other leaders - including Mr Obama - to argue that a peaceful solution will require a different leadership which the whole country can unite around.
"Our view is very clear, Isil (Islamic State) and Mr Assad are both the enemies of the Syrian people," one senior British official told the Press Association. "The prime minister's view is still very clearly that in the endgame you need a different leader to build a peaceful and inclusive Syria."
UK officials also warned finding a solution to the four-year conflict had been made more complicated by Russian military build-up in support of Mr Assad's regime.UK officials also warned finding a solution to the four-year conflict had been made more complicated by Russian military build-up in support of Mr Assad's regime.
Russia is reported to have moved warplanes, helicopters, tanks, drones, artillery and troops into a military airbase near Latakia and the seaport of Tartus in Syria in recent weeks.Russia is reported to have moved warplanes, helicopters, tanks, drones, artillery and troops into a military airbase near Latakia and the seaport of Tartus in Syria in recent weeks.
However, Russia has previously said this move was "defensive in nature" and about self-protection.However, Russia has previously said this move was "defensive in nature" and about self-protection.
At the summit Mr Cameron is not expected to meet Mr Putin.At the summit Mr Cameron is not expected to meet Mr Putin.
But British officials have acknowledged they will need to work with Russia to find a diplomatic solution.But British officials have acknowledged they will need to work with Russia to find a diplomatic solution.
'Complex and challenging'
"There has always been the idea that there will be a political transition and there are differing views between members of the international community... what the steps are in the process. That is where there is more discussion ongoing," a senior British official said."There has always been the idea that there will be a political transition and there are differing views between members of the international community... what the steps are in the process. That is where there is more discussion ongoing," a senior British official said.
"There does need to be more thinking in capitals on what it would be," the official said. "This is complex and challenging and at the moment we are still trying to work out and agree what that solution might be." Last week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Mr Assad should be involved in peace talks, but France's foreign minister Laurent Fabius urged a united European strategy against such involvement.
Mr Kerry said he had discussed the crisis with Iran's foreign minister and would do the same with Russian representatives on Sunday.
Mr Cameron will speak at the sustainable development summit, ahead of the of the main General Assembly meeting which begins on Monday.Mr Cameron will speak at the sustainable development summit, ahead of the of the main General Assembly meeting which begins on Monday.
The prime minister is also expected to urge other leaders to do more to support the millions of refugees still in the region.The prime minister is also expected to urge other leaders to do more to support the millions of refugees still in the region.
France's foreign minister, meanwhile, told the General Assembly that President Assad should not play a role in Syria's future.
Laurent Fabius said Western countries would be exposing themselves to failure if they told Syrians their future lay with Mr Assad.
On Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Mr Assad should be involved in peace talks, but Mr Fabius urged a united European strategy against such involvement.
Mr Kerry said he had discussed the crisis with Iran's foreign minister and would do the same with Russian representatives on Sunday.