Leaders say violence in Syria must end_美文_趣味英语-查字典英语网

Leaders say violence in Syria must end

The talks came as Syrian security forces pounded opposition areas across the country. Intense artillery fire was reported in Douma, a town 15 kilometers outside the Syrian capital that for weeks has been under the partial control of rebels who have joined the revolt against Assad.

As journalists entered the cramped hotel ballroom, the two leaders were leaning toward each other in discussion, neither smiling. Obama initiated a handshake for the cameras while both he and Putin remained seated.

Obama sometimes gestured toward Putin as he spoke but Putin sat more stiffly through the joint appearance. At the end of their statements, as reporters were being ushered out, both sat glumly watching but made no move to re-engage with each other.

The hardened tone appears to mark the endpoint of Obama's "reset" of ties with Russia, which he pursued with Putin's predecessor, Dmitry Medvedev, with whom Obama shared a strong rapport.

Obama and Putin discussed Syria longer than any other topic - at least a third of their meeting- according to US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul.

Aides said Obama and Putin found some common ground.

The suspension of the UN monitoring mission in Syria over the weekend put added pressure on Obama and Putin to act decisively to keep the conflict from spiraling into civil war.

The rift between the two sides intensified last week when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused Russia of supplying Assad with attack helicopters.