U.S., France Seek To 'Speed Up' Syria Political Transition

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (right) welcomes U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris on February 27.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States and France are examining ways to speed up the political transition in Syria.

Kerry spoke in Paris, where he met on February 27 with President Francois Hollande and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.

At a joint press conference with Fabius, Kerry said the issue would be discussed at a Friends of Syria meeting in Rome on February 28.

At the international meeting, representatives of dozens of countries will hold talks with the leaders of the main Syrian opposition to try to find ways to resolve the country's two-year-old conflict.

Citing U.S. and European officials, U.S. media said Washington is nearing a decision on whether to provide nonlethal assistance to some groups opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP