Putin in Paris to bridge rifts over Syrian conflict ahead of quartet talks

French President Francois Hollande and visiting Russian leader Vladimir Putin held private talks on Syrian conflict in a move to converge stances on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's role in potential political transition in Damascus.

Ahead of Normandy quartet meeting on Ukraine, both leaders tried to resolve differences on ways to end the civil war in Syria via "extensive discussions" amid tension triggered by Moscow's recent strikes on Islamist fighters in the conflict, local media reported.

At the United Nations' conference early this week, Moscow said supporting the Syrian government to be a part of international efforts to end the four-year-conflict. However, France and western allies urged al-Assad to quit power to start the process of democratic transition in Syria.

Breaking ranks with is European partners, the Socialist leader was the first to hail Syria's new opposition coalition as the sole representative of its people and as "future government of a democratic Syria", making it possible to end al-Assad administration.

Paris also has been providing weapons to opposition Syrian Kurdish forces.

Paris meeting came a few days after Russia struck areas of Homs province, its first military operation in the shaky Middle East region in decades.

Russia said the activity in Syria is directed against the Islamic State (IS) group.

However, the United Sates and its partners fear that such moves would support al-Assad, Russia's traditional ally and help Russia to build strong force in the region. Endit