MOSCOW (Sputnik) — This came a day after proximity talks wrapped up in the Swiss city of Geneva. The UN-mediated process hit an impasse last week after the Western-backed opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) paused its participation on claims of ceasefire violations by the Syrian government.
"Now is the time for those with influence to apply real pressure to end this spiral of violence," Hammond said in an official statement.
Hammond admitted that, "Despite the best efforts of the UN Special Envoy to keep up momentum, making progress is becoming increasingly difficult," before he continued to blame Syrian President Bashar Assad for refusing to discuss political transition.
The creation of a transitional government has been a divisive topic for the opposition and government negotiators in Geneva, with Syrian authorities vying for the formation of a national unity government representing all political forces.
