Geneva talks back transitional government in Syria

The participants in the Geneva talks support creation of a "transitional government body with full executive powers" in Syria, UN and Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan said, RIA Novosti reports.

The interim body should include members of the current government, the opposition and other groups, Annan told journalists. The actual makeup of the transitional government will depend on the Syrian people.

"We are determined to work together urgently and intensively, to bring an end to the violence and the human rights abuses and the launch of a Syrian-led political process leading to a transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people," Annan said.

The conference of foreign ministers of the "action group," which includes the Western powers, Russia and China, was held in Geneva on Saturday.

Annan's proposal is aimed at providing a path forward that would be supported by all Syrians and lead to a genuinely democratic and pluralistic state with free elections, respect for human rights and equal opportunity for all, he said.

The bloodshed must end and work toward settling the conflict must continue, he said.