By MATTHEW LEE
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is working with its European and Arab allies to organize the inaugural meeting of the “Friends of Syria” to explore ways to further isolate President Bashar Assad, support his foes and end ongoing violence.
The State Department said Thursday that its top Mideast envoy has been dispatched to Morocco, France and Bahrain to help put the meeting together, determine the group’s membership and mandate. The Arab League is expected to announce the meeting as early as this weekend.
Morocco sponsored the U.N. Security Council resolution calling for Assad to step down that Russia and China vetoed. France, along with Turkey, has offered to host the Friends of Syria meeting.
