Bilateral talks with Iran possible, says US Secretary of State

PARIS

US Secretary of State John Kerry waves on February 27, 2013 as he leaves the presidential Elysee palace in Paris after meeting with the French president. Kerry began on February 24 a marathon tour of allies in Europe and the Middle East. AFP PHOTO /POOL JACQUELYN MARTIN

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday that two days of nuclear talks between Iran and world powers had been useful and said a serious engagement by Iran could lead to a longer-term, comprehensive agreement, Reuters has reported.

Kerry, who was in Paris meeting the French president and his counterpart Laurent Fabius during a tour of Europe, repeated that Washington was ready to hold bilateral talks with Iran.

He added: "Iran knows what it needs to do, the president has made clear his determination to implement his policy that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon," he added.

Kerry says looking at ways to speed up Syrian transition

US Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday the United States and France were mulling ways to speed up political transition in war-torn Syria, which would be discussed in a "Friends of Syria" meeting in Rome, AFP has reported.

"We are examining ways to accelerate the political transition,", Kerry said, addressing a joint press conference with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. He said this would be discussed at the Rome meeting Thursday.

Kerry also signalled that Washington could be mulling increased aid to the Syrian opposition, saying: "The opposition needs more help.

"We think it's very important that more of our assistance gets to areas that have been liberated from the regime," he said.

Citing US and European officials, the Washington Post newspaper said the White House is mulling a major policy shift on Syria and is toying with the idea of supplying rebels with direct aid like body armour, armoured vehicles and even military training.