Council of war: Now Obama and Putin MUST work together

BARACK Obama and Vladimir Putin surprised observers when they held informal talks on the war in Syria during the lunch break at yesterday’s G20 summit. The American and Russian presidents, pictured, were joined at their 35minute meeting by Mr Obama’s national security adviser Susan Rice and a translator.

Officials said Mr Obama and Mr Putin had

agreed on the need for a political transition in Syria, and the attacks in Paris had made it more urgent. The White House described the talks as ‘constructive’. However, differences remain over the fate of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. The US believes he should play no part in a settlement, while Russia says a peaceful transition is impossible without him.