Obama, Putin agree on Syria transition despite differences

The White House announced late on Wednesday that President Barack Obama called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the situations in Syria and despite their remaining differences both sides agreed to support political transition in that country. The White House said in a statement that the two leaders noted the growing violence in Syria and agreed on the need to support a political transition as soon as possible "that achieves our shared goal of ending the violence and avoiding a further deterioration of the situation." "They noted the differences our governments have had on Syria, but agreed to have their teams continue to work toward a solution. President Obama also took the opportunity to express condolences on the tragic loss of life resulting from flooding in southern Russia earlier this month and reiterated the U.S. readiness to provide assistance if needed", added the statement. An explosion in Damascus yesterday killed key figures in the Syrian regime, including defense minister in addition to Syrian President Bashar Assad's brother-in-law and key security official Assef Shawkat. Meanwhile, State Department spokesperson Patrick Ventrell told reporters late on Wednesday that the United States "does not welcome further bloodshed in Syria. We note, however, that these men were key architects of the Assad regime's assault on the Syrian people". "We also recognize that, even as the media is focused on the deaths of these senior officials, dozens more civilians were killed today throughout Syria. As we have been predicting for some time, the Assad regime's desperate attempts to cling to power will only lead to further chaos and suffering, underscoring the urgency of a political transition", he added. Ventrell noted that "it is past time for the UN Security Council to stand up and put the full weight of its support behind the Annan plan to facilitate that transition and an immediate end to violence" and that the United States "does not want to see further violence in Syria. What we want to see is a transition." "We want a peaceful solution. We are focused on ending the bloodshed. It is the Assad regime, however, that, in slaughtering its own people, has created these chaotic conditions. "They are losing control of Syria. It's clear that the situation is spiraling out of control. And what we have been trying to avoid all along is further chaos that spills over the borders that makes the situation worse", he concluded.