Kerry comments on crisis in Syria during visit to Philippines

(17 Dec 2013) US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday that a meeting between the US and Syria's Islamic Front alliance was possible in future talks on the Syrian crisis. At a news conference held during a visit to the Philippines, Kerry said there was a desire to broaden "moderate opposition" in Syria. "The United States has not met yet to date with the Islamic Front. There has not been a discussion, but it's possible that it could take place," he said. "There is an effort afoot among all the supporter nations of the Syrian opposition, the moderate opposition, to want to broaden the base of moderate opposition," he added. However, he made it clear that any future talks with Syrian opposition groups would be with what he described as moderates. "That obviously does not include the radical extremists and the worst elements that are, to some degree, on the ground," Kerry said. Peace talks between Syrian opposition and Assad's government are scheduled to begin on 22 January 2014 in Geneva. However, violence in the country has surged in the past weeks as the warring sides try to claim or hold on to territory as a possible bargaining chip in the negotiations. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...