Spotlight: Major players pin high hopes on Syria political solution, skepticism remains

Despite frustration over a suspension of the third round of Syria peace talks, major global players still believe that a political solution, though difficult to come by, is the best way to bring lasting peace to the war-ravaged country.

The United States and Russia, both considered key players in resolving the protracted crisis in Syria, agreed to work together for an early resumption of the intra-Syria talks.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his U.S. counterpart John Kerry had a phone conversation Thursday, during which they urged all Syrian parties to take measures to ensure humanitarian access under UN auspices to regions besieged by government forces and opposition groups.

Lavrov and Kerry agreed on possible coordinated actions in delivering humanitarian aid to certain areas in Syria by using military transport aircraft, according to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Separately, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said that Russia has its own incentive for the Syrian reconciliation talks to advance and succeed.

"We have noted that the Russians have occasionally used their influence with the Assad regime to try to bring two sides together and we hope that they'll continue to do that," Earnest said.

China, a country actively pushing for a political solution to the Syria crisis, on Thursday renewed its call for concerted global efforts to help ease the humanitarian situation in Syria.

Speaking at the Supporting Syria and the Region conference in London, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said solving the humanitarian problems in Syria needs not only emergency aid, but also concrete actions to eliminate their root causes.

The Chinese diplomat said the international community should step up efforts to seek a political solution to the Syria conflict, which is the ultimate way of solving the country's humanitarian crisis.

The resumption of peace talks is a key part of this political process in Syria, and the warring parties should give priority to the overall interests of their country and their people, and seize the opportunity of peace talks to show their goodwill and sincerity, Wang said.

At the London meeting, China pledged to donate 10,000 tons of food to help ease the food shortages among Syrian refugees, on top of the 230-million-yuan (about 35 million dollars) humanitarian assistance for the Middle East promised by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a recent trip to the region.

On the same occasion, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also called on Syria's warring sides to get back to the negotiating table.

The coming days should be used to get back to the table, not to secure more gains on the battlefield so as to strengthen their positions during negotiations, Ban said.

The London meeting has received pledges totaling some 10 billion U.S. dollars by 2020 to help Syrian refugees and their major host nations.

Though thankful for the generosity of the international community, Ban stressed that the current approach to the Syrian crisis is unsustainable.

"We cannot go on like this. There is no military solution. Only political dialogue will rescue the Syrian people from their intolerable suffering," he said.

"The crisis in Syria is about to enter its sixth year. The international community bears a heavy responsibility for failing to end it," he noted.

Though many believe a political solution is the only viable option for the Syria crisis, the prospect of the Syria peace talks is seen as gloomy.

Syrian political analyst Isam Samer told Xinhua that Syria is now witnessing intense battles on all fronts, with each side fighting for territorial gains in order to empower their positions at the Geneva talks.

At the same time, divisions remain among various opposition groups. Analysts believe compromises will be hard to come by during the negotiations.

Since its start in 2011, the Syria war, estimates show, has killed 250,000 people, internally displaced 6.5 million and caused more than 4 million to flee the country. About 13.5 million people inside the country are now in urgent need of humanitarian aid. Endi