Beirut / AFP Aid groups were unable to deliver much-needed food packages to four besieged towns in war-torn Syria on Monday, the International Committee of the Red Cross told AFP, citing security problems. Since an unprecedented ceasefire came into force on February 27, aid deliveries have reached thousands of people in areas blockaded by regime and opposition forces. Under an …

Brussels / AFP The European Union must stand up to Russia to defend core political and security interests even while trying to find common cause on issues such as the Syrian conflict, the bloc’s foreign ministers said on Monday. The ministers gathered in Brussels for a regular monthly meeting which for the first time in a year will review relations …

Geneva / AFP Agreeing on political transition in Syria is the “mother of all issues,” the UN envoy for the war-ravaged country said on Monday, as a new round of peace talks was set to begin. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Staffan de Mistura stressed the importance of getting the talks quickly focused on “the real issues,” adding: “What is …