not that of bashar al-assad and are and his allies in iran. marr win, thank you with the latest from doha >>> the bashar al-assad regime has been one of the powerful forces in lebanon. we are joined from beirut. as i mentioned earlier, one of the problems with the syria crisis that so many different parties are involved are with different allegiances. give us an idea of what the statement by russia - the impact that it could have on lebanon and hezbollah. >> it's safe to say that hezbollah, the shia dominated group in lebanon, is the most powerful political and social armed group operating in the country. it was no doubt very concerned. it played an active role in the conflict for a long time. and up until the russians entered the theatre, which is the syrian conflict. it suffered extraordinary losses and found it difficult to just support of bashar al-assad, and the fact that bashar al-assad has very harshly reacted to the uprising in syria, and, indeed in its fight against rebel forces. when the russians entered the theatre, their fight, acco

russia doesn't care about bashar al-assad. what russia cares about is a government in syria that will do its bidding and that depends on russia and that russia can influence and use to advance its objectives. if bashar al-assad is willing to play that role, fine. if he is not, they will get rid of bashar al-assad and put somebody else in power >>> if there is hope that that's peace talks will bring a solution, the turks didn't want the syrian kurds at the table in geneva, certainly the syrians didn't, it's one of the few things this that bashar al-assad and erdogan agree on, but the kurds have declared an autonomous region in syria. was it a mistake to exclude the kurds from the process? >> i think what it has mistaken to do is to arm and support the syrian kurds that are allies and part of, frankly, the turkish kurds in the form of p.k.k. the p.k.k. for years has been trying to overthrow the road accident regime in turkey. the u.s. has been working with their partners, the ypd, in syria against i.s.i.s., which is a huge mistak

they say bashar al-assad must go. any discussion about bashar al-assad's role is a red line. >> reporter: voting has started in three german states to elect regional parliament. these elections are seen as a litmus test on angela merkel's policy on refugees. it has been a major talking point ahead of the vote. thousands have attended protests in venezuela. they're angry at the state of the economy. the government supporters have also turned out. more on our top story. it is almost five years since syria's up rising began. they were inspired by event across the arab world. the first report in a special series. >> reporter: with memories as vivid as their disappointments run deep, these people turn to books when they can, seeking comfort in their pages, solace in the chapters. a brief escape from a reality of looming and horrific milestone. five years of a war that brought with it the kind of unmitigated misery no-one here could have foreseen. at the beginning, though, the arab spring had spread hope. >> what happened in

should remain president >>> the syrian opposition's main negotiator says bashar al-assad must leave before the conflict can be resolved. >> translation: we considered that the transitional period begins with the departure of bashar al-assad or his death. it can not be a stage where the head of regime continues to be in power >>> he also addressed the infighting amongst syrian opposition and rebel groups calling on all parties to unite. >> reporter: fighting in syria two weeks into a partial ceasefire agreed by many sides in the war but not all. rebels say they're taking valeages from allied forces. earlier in the week people said they have been hit by government air strikes. >> translation: military planes launched air strikes after prayers. >> reporter: there is less violence in other parts of the country. in idlib people felt safe enough to come out into the streets again. these demonstrators are complaining about different opposition groups. the free syrian army and alnulls front, the al-qaeda linked group who haven't signed up for the ceasefire. >> translation: we are here to ser

it has repeatedly said it wants bashar al-assad to go and now apartments to be saying that can be achieved by diplomatic means, but the bashar al-assad's fate may not be decided any time soon amid growing differences between the key actors in the conflict >>> the military in turkey says it has killed 45 fighters linked to p.k.k. in northern iraq. meanwhile, the police broke up two separate demonstrations in istanbul on monday. people were protesting about the car bomb in the capital that killed at least 37. to egypt now. more signs of economic and political instability. egypt's central bank has devalued its currency in an effort to ease a shortage of u.s. dollars. the chief prosecutor has arrived in cairo. the european parliament has expressed concern that egyptian security forces were involved. egypt's justice minister has lost his job after making a controversial comment about the prosecutor amphetamine-- prophet. he said he would jail him himself if he broke the law. an assistant professor of communications at the university of north alabama a, heez says egypt's economy remains one of t

iran and russia are bad's main backers-- bashar al-assad's main backers. when the turks shot down a russian military plane, they said it had violated their airspace. the u.s. is another major player in the conflict. it says it wants bashar al-assad to go and now appears to think that can be achieved by diplomatic means, but the bashar al-assad's fate may not be beside any time soon amid growing differences, this will be the key actors in the syrian conflict >>> the police in it you are key broke up two separate demonstrations in istanbul on monday. people were protesting about sunday's car bomb attack in the capital that kilted at least 37 people. chanted slogans for the government to design. government ministers from france are travelling to the ivory coast. it is a show of support following an attack on a beach resort on sunday. 18 people were killed. >> reporter: this woman was selling jewellery to a young mother with her baby on the beach. she has come back to the hotel to check up on the woman. >> translation: they were shooting at her. she was holding

the syrian opposition main oop sippings leader say bashar al-assad must leave before the conflict can be resolved >> translation: we consider that the transitional period begins with the removal of bashar al-assad or his death >>> james bays is in geneva for us. the opposition has now arrived there. so at this stage, at least, the talks do seem to be going ahead. >> reporter: yes. i think there are definitely going to meetings. as it stands right now on monday taking place here in geneva. i think what is important about the talks this time around is they seem to be getting to the key crunch issue. that issue of the roll of president bashar al-assad and those close to him. let me remind you, we had talks here that took place earlier on this year. they never really started. we had talks two years ago which collapsed and they collapsed over the agenda because the syrian government was trying to avoid talking about the role of bashar al-assad. it said it wanted to talk about fighting what it called terrorism first and because of that row over the agenda those talks collapsed. this time st

pressure on the syrian government, but despite that they're not only not refusing to talk about bashar al-assad and the role of bashar al-assad, they're refusing to talk about the whole idea of transition. whenever it has come up in the meeting, the delegation has wanted to talk about other things, it has wanted to talk about the agenda, about broad principles. we then had had the brussels attack and the wider situation of terrorism or what it called terrorism in syria. in this round of talks they really, the syrian government, have avoided the key issue and that's why this meeting in moscow is so important >>> what's your reading of the language here. a few weeks ago mr kerry ruffled some feathers at the can kremlin, talking about a regional power, that was paraphrasing, but that was what he meant, and today the department talking about two super players. the language would appear to be more positive and the language is always so important if that relationship. >> reporter: absolutely. because if you look at it from russia's point of view, yes, it doesn't want an endless war in syria. certainl

and bashar al-assad still has the upper hand. peace is elusive in syria, a cessation of hostilities brokered by the united states and russia is holding for a six day running. there has been numerous violations along the front lines separating government troops. the united states special envoy for syria, stefan de-mistura is hopeful and says the situation in syria is fragile. success is not guaranteed. progress is visible. a sign. process is the renewed shipment of aid going to civilians in some of the pors effected areas. now for the hard part, negotiating anend to a brutal war about to enter a sixth year. representatives are expected to meet in geneva next week, for a new round of talks shepherded by the unenjoy stefan de-mistura. the rebels broke up into competing factions. turkey, and, of course, the united states. syrian president regained the initiative on the ground. he has backing from russia and iran. complicating matters is isil, which controls up to a third of territory. and the al nusra front, an arm of al-qaeda, fight

mistrust to the western community. >> translation: if the international community hadn't left the bashar al-assadregime killing syrians until today, there would have been no i.s.i.l. or other fanatic factions. >> reporter: if you ask any young syrian man in the street, is an american able to remove bashar al-assad they will say yes, in one phone call. it's in their hands to stop the blad bath. -- blood bath >> reporter: the truce has reduced the number of bombardments and violence. >> translation: the revolution's anniversary came at a time where the civil activity of the revolution was restarred after we lost it. the truce gave it a lifeline. i fear it won't last long. >> reporter: the war, the truce and the talks are likely to drag on. most syrians are resigned to watching through the haze they know their future will ultimately be decided by politicians in a distant planned >>> to turkey now where two journalists go on troo trial in istanbul today in what campaigners are talking as a test case for the freedom of the country. they published a story alleging that turkey was arming forces. >> repo

>>> a spokesman for the high negotiations committee speaking from riyadh said the prospect of bashar al-assad staying on could be a deal breaker. >> the transition there will be without bashar al-assad in power, for a person or a murderer who killed almost half a million syrians cannot be there and it is not acceptable to all syrians in syria, a person who really killed people and broke people outside and people in other countries and the aim of not only bashar al-assad but the aim of putin to push more freedoms outside, puts russia trying to break the european union >>> to venezuela where hundreds of opposition supporters have held a mass rally as part of the campaign to oust the president. it is part of a renewed effort from his opponents to force him from office. his popularity has plunged because of the economic situation, including the increase in prices of food. >> reporter: this is the streets of down town karakas today. the president came to defend the renewal of a decree that rules that venezuela is a threat to their national security. these were those same streets when the late chav

we would be without bashar al-assad in person . it is not good [indistinct] >>> i'm going to interrupt you again for which i apologise. can i take what you've said in the last minute as a resounding no, because as far as the syrian foreign minister and deputy prime minister is concerned, there is a red line here, which is bashar al-assad is the president of syria and he stays as the president of syria, and you have got to accept that what happens to him may be might change after an election but not befor before? >> bashar al-assad is not - would not be a ruler of syria any more. this is not acceptable [indistinct] the russians are having the discussion. what they are saying [indistinct] i believe they will be there. they will wait because this is the will of russia and other countri countries >>> we appreciate your time. thank you for joining us on al jazeera. meanwhile on the ground syrian government forces have attacked a city while trying to advance in opposition controlled areas. there have been heavy clashed between the army a

we would say that the best way to end the conflict in syria is to remove the regime of bashar al-assad. remember, for us this is a revolution against tyranny. this is a revolution for freedom and dignity and domestic object res for all syrians-- democracy for all syrians. the bashar al-assad has turned this war into a situation against his people. we hope it will show more suss sayingss of violence so that fewer people can die over the course of a day. what we have seen in the relatively quiet areas is the outbreak once again of peaceful protesters demonstrating against the regime of bashar al-assad >>> syria's front lines have become the world's most dangerous areas forcing many to flee their homes. some in the city of aleppo refuse to go and they have taken up volunteer work. >> reporter: there may be a cessation of hostility here, but the violence is far from over. this man and hits team are heading to a district in aleppo to put out a fire. they're volunteers and their team is three years old. they have dug out and rescued many people over this time. many left one of the world' mos

>> maintaining the bashar al-assad regime or the regime in general and maintaining it as a satellite of russian in the middle east and maintaining bases in russia and maintaining its prestige and basically the opposition and cornering them in order to make sure that there is a regime that supports moscow's agenda in the region. the same thing applies for the u.s., but as you were saying and as we said repeatedly, there is a dissymmetry between the two. america, in terms of the syrian situation, talks of diplomacy, russia talks of military action. there is american words meeting russian bombs. for the time being there's so much more for russian at stake than syria and i think for the time being these negotiations that staffan de mistura is managing have been fuelled by american compromises and russian games >>> the russians say the kurds should be present at the talks which is a big no no for turkey, and what you think about the attack being pointed at pro-kurdish groups in turkey, do you think the turkey will change? >> there is no doubt that turkey does not want a new kurdish phenom

attack that happened on friday >>> the syrian opposition is calling on russia to put pressure on bashar al-assad government to take the geneva talks seriously. the government is refusing any serious discussion on the fate of bashar al-assad's presidency. >> translation: we are calling on russia to put pressure on the regime to approach these talks is seriously. we have noticed the regime ask still refusing any serious discussion on the fate of bashar al-assad's presidency. we consider that these elections are not legitimate. the regime asked us to postpone the second round for two weeks. we insisted on having them in due time >>> james bays has more now. >> reporter: in the spotlight and under pressure at the geneva talk, the chief negotiator for the syrian government. while the opposition represented by committee of political figures, the bashar al-assad regime's interests are in the hands of one man, whose day job is syrian ambassador to the u.n. in new york. he is known for his loyalty to his bosses in damascus. he has shown he is prepared to defend his country's case, even when it is counter

haven't talked about in the past >>> i think one of the biggest obstacles has been the future of bashar al-assad in syria. are both sides coming any closer when it comes to any role that bashar al-assad might be playing going forward? >> that is the absolutely key crunch issue at the end of this. so, yes, that's something they're going to be talking about. he has had both sides now in staffan de mistura, both have produced their own discussion paper on the way forward. mr staffan de mistura says he may well take those two papers, take ideas, whether there's agreement in those two papers, and put them together as a sort of u.n. paper. one other issue that will be discussed is the issue of detainees. this has been a constant demand by the opposition to release some of the detainees, particularly women and children who have been held in will jails because they say their report suggests up to 50 people in those jails are being executed every single day. they want that right at the top of the list. what staffan de mistura has decided on this, it is a key issue, but he doesn't want it to detract from

russia withdraw most of its forces, the government of syrian president bashar al-assad made advances in rebel-held territory. the offensive coinciding with talks in good afternoon as the u.n. attempts to negotiate a solution to the war. a ceasefire between government forces and rebel factors reduced violence, the sessionation of hostilities excludes both. isil that has taken over wide swaths of territory is under attack on two fronts, as both countries commit more troops to a fight each voweded to win >>> as mohammed said, palmyra is strategically important. let's look at the map to see why. it's clocted along a desert highway and lies between the government-held damascus and deir az zor. joshua walker is an expert on security policies, and says it is a big setback for isil. >> given all the bad news coming out of europe and the focus of isis as a territory organization, this focus it as being a failed state. russia and the u.s. seem to be working together and diplomatic channels in geneva. this is a sfep back for isis. it appears to be the beginning. end. if you read the reports in

the crunch issues, the future governance of syria >>> the syria's main negotiator insists that bashar al-assad must leave before the syrian conflict can be roefld. resolved. we consider that the bashar al-assad situation should be considered and he should not be in power >>> all parties have been called to negotiate. >> reporter: rebels say they're taking villages from government allied forces. earlier in the week people in aleppo said they have been hit by government air strikes. >> translation: military aeroplanes launched air strikes after prayers. >> reporter: people felt safe enough to come out onto the streets once again in idlib. there have been protests against the government since the ceasefire began. on friday crowds came out in support of an fsa commander. >> translation: we are here to serve you, the syrian people are king and the jewel on the crown. you are the true masters. you are our leaders. this land is ours. [technical difficulties] >>> particularly amid an economic crisis. >> reporter: these are the streets of down town city today. there is a decree that rules that venezuel

he also said on what many believe is the key issue, the president of bashar al-assad, it was not a subjecthat his delegation were prepared to discuss. >> reporter: are you, and this is the key issue, prepared to discuss the future of president bashar al-assad? >> president bashar al-assad has nothing to do with the syrian indirect talks. the references of our talks do not indicate anything, do not give any indication whatsoever with regard the issue of the president of the syrian republic. this is something that already excluded from the scene. >> reporter: later at the same podium the u.n. special envoy, staffan de mistura, said he was in a hurry to start discussions about political transition. he said he had raised the issue directly with the ambassador. >> he said he was, i am not revealing a secret, it was premature. i said it was imminent. it is important to start addressing their own understanding. it is clear that the political transition is the model, and no-one has questioned that, nowhere. so we will have to be realistic on that. >> reporter: a spokesman for the main opposition b

he accomplished his objective, keeping bashar al-assad in power. basically last year we are talking about bashar al-assad falling any day. this military intervention kept him in power. even though bashar al-assad is not going to conquer all of syria, russian keeps their base the only base outside of the soviet union and, is striking some of the i.s.i.s. targets, he accomplished all of his goals and now because his economy is in tatters because of the ukraine sanctions, he can pull out without achieving a victory. >> you're right, assad has not recovered most of the country nor will he, but about 5% more, but 5% is a big part of the populated areas. so from putin's standpoint. is it as he said, mission accomplished, he's propped up assad, keep the naval and air bases, and the base will be there if needor at least some of them will be? >> absolutely, he could send them back in a couple of days. this is a complete win for russia, a complete win for bashar al-assad and iran. >> on the other hand, to some extent at least doesn't it seem to pull the rug o

negotiations seriously enough, and said on what many believe is the key issue, the president bashar al-assad, it's not something they are prepared to discuss. >> reporter: are you prepared to discuss the future of bashar al-assad. >> bashar al-assad has nothing to do with the syrian indirect talks. the references of our talks do not indicate anything. do not give any indication what over with regard to the issue of the president of the arab republic. this is something that is already excluded from the scene >>> later at the same podium the u.n. special envoy stefan de mistura said he was in a hurry to start discussions about political transition, and said he would raise the issue with ambassador javry. >> he said he was - i'm not revealing a secret - premature at the moment to talk about it. my message was premature means imminent as far as we are concerned. it is important to address their own understanding. it is clear the political transition is the issue. no one questioned that. neither the gun nor in vienna nor munich or the if-15. we'll have to be realistic on that. >> reporter: a spok

governance of syria and that gets you into the very difficult question of the parole of president bashar al assad. the question through five years of war is there is absolutely no compromise on that issue. the government aren't even going to negotiate president assad, he stays and the opposition have exactly the other position, saying president assad must go. i think this is potentially a problem on day one for the government side, because some of what they are saying seems saying they reject the idea of a transitional government in elections seems to be in did he if rance of what their throws allies like russia and iran have agreed to and the security council resolution that was passed last year. >> voting is underway in three german states for parliament. they are expected to measure the support for angela merkel's refugee policy. the influx of more than a million refugees last year has been a key issue ahead of the vote. >>> many of the refugees hoping to make their way to nowhere europe are stuck at the greek-macedonia border where thousands remain stranded. muhammed is there. >> days of cont

they're still refusing discussion on the fate of bashar al-assad's presidency. the regime asked to postpone the second round for two weeks but we insist on having them in due time. the regime is trying to avoid fulfilling all its duties >>> more from our correspondent in geneva. >> reporter: in the spotlight and under pressure at the geneva talks, the chief negotiator for the syrian government. while the opposition is presented by political figures, the bashar al-assad regime interests is in the hand of the ambassador. he is known for his loyalty to his boss epz in damascus. he is prepared to defend his country's case even when countered by clear facts to the contrary. these images in madaya he said were fabricated >> the best way to torpedo the talks to take place is by raising a humanitarian issue, defaming the syrian government, dem dem demonising the government and bringing us again to the security council as a guilty government to defend ourselves. >> reporter: but many observers believe that both sides are in geneva, it is he who is doing his best to torpe

talks should be united, but where the disagreement comes from is what role will the president bashar al-assad have. obviously, the u.s. has said more than once that it doesn't see any role for bashar al-assad in the future government. whereas moscow says it does see a role for him in that future transitional government t probably kerry would like to get assurances from russia that it will put pressure on damascus, it will put pressure specifically for it to become more serious in those talks in geneva. we just heard from james bays saying that so far the syrian government delegation has been avoiding really the core of the issue and that is to start the talks about the modalities of this transitional government >>> can i assume that they make progress on ceasefire, violations of the ceasefire and also humanitarian assistance because everyone agrees that there has been progress on getting aid to the people that need it, but so many more, tens of thousands of people, still need vital aid. >> reporter: yes. absolutely. that is something that they will probably agree on even though we heard earli

there is no political solution that puts more pressure on the other supporter of the regime of bashar al-assadially the iranian and hezbollah and they were there at beginning of confrontation and i'm sure they will be there to the end. they are not going to abandon the regime of bashar al-assad at this point but probably have to put more forces especially the iranian but i think in light of everything that has taken place in the past year where the iranian reach an agreement with the american, i think more likely they are looking for political solution for the crisis. >> well if too pin is now turning his attention whole hardly to finding a political solution does he have enough leverage over assad to reach that? >> well, today maybe assad have to think twice about what is going to be put on the table because the russian clearly stated that we put the fight to maintain your power in syria, now you almost now you have to think whole hardly how you can reach out of the opposition and bring him to the table. and find something agreeable to discuss and a resolution that can be acceptable to everyb

for them, bashar al-assad cannot be part of serious future. the envoy is holding talks with opposition figures in geneva on tuesday. there are doubts whether any agreement reached would take hold on the ground, where multiple groups control large parts of syria's territory. these organizations, including the islamic state group, al qaeda affiliate the all this for fun, and the syrian kurdish party, were not invited to the talks. catherine: hundreds of people who marched out of omicron camp on the greece-macedonia border have been stopped by macedonian troops. police say a group of several hundred migrants will be sent one to greece, while witness from the reuters news agency put the figure at as many as 2000. at least 12,000 people have been living in limbo in a sprawling ad hoc camp on the greek side of the border. macedonian authorities effectively sealed across a week ago as other countries shut their borders, too. in turkey, 11 people are under arrest in relation to a bombing , onhe capital, ankara sunday that kind 37 lives. authorities sa

a red line was bashar al assad in the talks. they say they will not lose him. n power. the opposition saying assad has to go. two years ago, it was the same situation. russia was blamed for not pressuring to negotiate in good faith and talk about a political transition. this time it is different. that is how the opposition is seeing it. there is also and we have to look at this. a lot of pressure on russia. if these talks fail, there was every possibility that sanctions were be levied against russia. there is military pressure. the allies will want to put surface-to-air missiles to take down russian aircraft. that would be a game changer on the battle field. you have the arabs putting pressure on sunnis. if you want a relationship in the region going forward, we will judge you on what you do now. there is evidence of russian back channel talks over the past month or so. people in the region there indicate to me they had an inkling that russia might do something like this. so a surprise to many people, but not a total shock, christine. >> nic robertson, thank you

the extremists have been driven out and triumph for bashar al assad. the u.n. sing the liberation of palmyra and calling on assad to restore it. cnn's arwa damon is tracking the latest from istanbul. the question is how tenuous is the syrian government grip on the ancient city. >> reporter: as long as they have the russians backing them, it seems the syrian regime should be able to keep control of palmyra and they're making no qualms about trying to hide reality it is because of the russian strikes they were able to retake it. hundreds of them reportedly taking place with russian strikes in the days leading up to the syrian forces along with the militias being able to move in and recapture the city and the ruins of palmyra, unesco heritage sites. some of which have been damaged and destroyed by isis. this is a strategic gain for the regime, but not one that is necessarily going to lead to the imminent defeat of isis. they still control plenty in syria and iraq. it is a highly symbolic one. one sure to boost morale of regime forces and also one that is allowing b

in the sense they would like to see russia put its weight again, putting pressure on president bashar al assad. we know that the two sides are at adds on the future of bashar al assad in that transitional government, but at the moment, his frustration that the syrian part and the government side is procrastinating in tackling the core issue of these geneva talks. i think also probably, john kerry would like to understand really how much pressure or much protection would i say is vladimir putin giving bashar al assad. the announcement of the draw down of the russian troops came as a surprise to absolutely everyone. this is a draw down, it's not a withdrawal, there is a substantial amount of military hardware and troops in syria, but i think what puzzled people and probably also the united states and other people that were participating in those geneva talks is that what was the message here, was the message two bashar al assad that russia support is unconditional, even though the fact that there are russian troops on the ground means that the protection is still there. certainly the advancement

argued was more about propping up the regime of bashar al-assad. >> in the latest assessment of bashar al-assad in syria, the pentagon saw a glimmer of positive news. russia was lamented to striking -- limited though striking isil targets. doing it with gusto, targetting strongholds in palmyra and other areas. then game the unexpected announcement from moscow. vladimir putin, after meeting with his minister said he ordered a pull out of the main part of russia's forces. saying the goal has been fulfilled. the withdrawal came as a surprise and obama administration were reduced to saying stay tuned. >> i did not see the report before coming out here. i'll have to serve comment before taking a clans to look at it and lake an assessment. >> should we expect the president will speak with vladimir putin. >> i would rule it out. whilst it's withdrawing most of its troops, it will continue to have a presence at a long of time naval base, as well as holding on to newly established air base in syria's latakia province. that was no surprise to the pentagon, noting that improvements to the syrian

and to date, the single biggest violator of that, by allegation, is the bashar al-assad regime. >> he hit out at the syrian deputy prime minister, who at a news conference in damascus said that there could be no negotiation about the role of president bashar al-assad. >> a witness, the comments made yesterday, by the foreign minister of syria, clearly trying to disrupt the process. >> clearly trying to send a message of deterrence to others. >> his comments were clearly aimed as support for the main opposition block, the high negotiating committee whose members have been arriving for the talks. >> we want to see an end to this bloodshed in syria. we hope that we see a sears partner. >> what is different about the talks is that the u.n. special envoy, stefan de-mistura says he will get to the substantive issues - who will be in a new transitional government taking syria towards new elections. that, of course, takes us to the key issue of president bashar al-assad, and those around him. and on that, it seems right now no one is prepared to compromise. >> today turkey's president slammed

i think they must talk about the future of bashar al-assad. right now, this is the stum bling issue here at the negotiation table. that is the price, actually, that the syrian opposition want to have before joining the regime or uniting the forces. that is the ultimate goal in this whole issue. >> thanks so much >>> turkey has launched air strikes on nil positions in iraq. earlier a soldiers was killed. targetting kurdish forces. >> after liaising with the chief of staff. all the bases that caused the killing of the lieutenant are destroyed. as part of the rules. as long as the elements pose a threat to turkey the military presence in the area, and we will continue to maintain the threat to the borders, even further south >>> refugees are marching to the grease-macedonian boarder in the hope that it will be open. they refuse to go to the government shelters. they say they want to continue on their way. the camp conditions worsened over the last several weeks. 12,000 people are stranded at the boarder. hoda abdel-hamid is on the greek macedonia

the deputy perform saying no discussion about bashar al-assad, so what do you expect from peace talks. we think it will be hooked pup on this. the bashar al-assad is confident. russians are backing it up. he's under no pressure to lead the country, the opposition insisting that he has to say when he steps down and begin to have a transition government with new people in. it looks unlikely that will happen, as long as the russian aircraft and power supports the regime. and they are conquering more territory every week. >> russia holds the winning cards here so far. correct. by the way, what is iran's role in this conflict? >> russia holds the cards. when russia sustained into the syrian battlefield president obama said that the united states does not intend to fight a proxy war with russia for syria. that was a clear balance much statement. president obama will let russia have syria, in essence. of course, john kerry, secretary of state john kerry put a tonne of pressure on the russians to come to the ceasefire. so far it's worked. everyone is astounded to the extent how it will be bui

that, of course, takes us to the key issue of president bashar al-assad, and those around him. on that, it seems no one is prepared to compromise >>> at least 22 people have been killed in fighting between yemeni security and fighters affiliated with i.s.i.s. and al-qaeda. the fighting happened in the port city of aden. fighting broke out when the forces tried to drive the fighters from parts of the city. security officials say air strikes were in the second stage. retaken by yemeni forces in july, backed by the saudi-led coalition. armed groups occupy some parts of it. 17 of the dead are suspect al-qaeda fighters. >> ahead here on al jazeera. angela merkel's party losing key states, seen as a test of policy >>> and art for argument's sake, we visit the exhibition with a difference. difference. narrated by willem dafoe. >> our american story is written everyday. it's not always pretty, but it's real... and we show you like no-one else can. this is our american story. this is america tonight. >>> a quick reminder of the top stories on al jazeera. 34 people have been killed and 12

to date the single biggest violator of that, by allegation, is the bashar al-assad regime. >> reporter: he also ht out at the syrian deputy prime minister who said there could be no negotiation about the role of preside president bashar al-assad. >> the comments made yesterday by the foreign minister clearly trying to disrupt, to send a message of deterrence to others. >> reporter: it was aimed at the members arriving for the talks >> we want to see an end to this bloodshed in syria. we hope that we see a series partner. >> reporter: what is different about these talks is that the u.n. special envoy, staffan de mistura, says he is straightaway going to get to the substantive issues, who is going to be in a new transitional government taking syria towards new elections. that, of course, takes us to the key issue of president bashar al-assad and those around him and on that it seems right now no-one is prepared to compromise. james bays >>> hundreds of refugees in a greece border camp have held a protest in the rain. the chanting the name of german chancellor angela merkel they demanded

he said on what many believe is the key issue, the future of bashar al-assad, it was not a subject that his delegation was prepared to discuss. >> are you, and this is a key issue prepared to discuss the future, president bashar al-assad. >> president bashar al-assad has nothing to do with the syrian indirect talks. the references of hour talks do not indicate anything. do not give any indication whatsoever with regard to the issue of the president of the syrian republic. this is something that is already excluded from the scene. >> later at the same podium, the u.n. special envoy stefan ge moistura said he was in an hour to start discussions about political transition, and would raise the issue with ambassador javry. >> he said it was - i'm not revealing a secret. premature at the moment. my message was premature means imminent. it is important to start addressing their own understanding. it is clear the political transition was - no one questioned that. neither the council nor in vienna nor in the if-15. so we'll have to be realistic on that. >> a spokesman for the main opposition blo

particular in the last three days, this has been noticeable in the task force >>> for syrian president bashar al-assad it seems to be business as usual. he and on state tv laying the foundation stone for a new housing project in damascus. bashar al-assad poke of the need to build in the face of destruction and wants damascus to serve as a model for the reconstruction of other syrian cities. vladimir putin says moscow's six-month military operation in syria has allowed bashar al-assad to reassert his authority. video has emerged of a man from the u.s. who travelled to iraq to join i.s.i.l. he eventually fled and was captured by the kurdish peshmer peshmerga. he recounts his journey from the u.s. the 26 year old says he was taken under the wing of the armed group and he lived in a house full of foreign recruits. he says he found the lifestyle too strict. >> once we got to the place where we began the sharia to learn about the religion, i didn't really support their ideology and that's at that point - that's when i decided i needed to escape >>> australia's senate has passed voting reforms following a le

its recapture would be a victory for bashar al-assad's forces. >> reporter: the pictures broadcast on syrian state television are said to show a significant advance. syrian government troops fighting to retake historic palmyra from i.s.i.l. stat media showed war planes and helicopters flying over ahead as soldiers approached on the ground. while there has been no independent confirmation, the syrian council for rights reported fighting outside the city on thursday after the syrian army moved to the city outskirts on wednesday. they captured the city last may and began a campaign of mass executions and destroying an shenlt sites. strategically situated between damn as casino as derazor it makes it a strategic place. forces were withdrawn after six months of aerial bombardment, the army of bashar al-assad has made advances in rebel held territory. it coincides twm peace talks for a solution to the kril war. a ceasefire between government forces and opposition rebel factions has significantly reduced violence, the cessation of hostilities agreement exclude al-nusra and i.s.i.l. they find

al-assad government after it was accused of using chemical weapons. he criticized some of washington's closest allies. >> reporter: a year into the syrian civilian war, obama said bashar al-assad don't use chemical weapons against your people >> we have been very clear to the bashar al-assad regime, but also to other players on the ground that a red line for us is we start saying a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around were utilised >> reporter: a year alert residents were gassed and obama was ready to launch air strikes >> 272 yes, nos, 285. >> reporter: the bring the asian parliament backed out at the last second. obama cancelled the attack, a decision he tells the magazine was the right one despite criticism from allies that u.s. credibility was damaged. back in 2011 the u.s. and european countries did launch air strikes in libya to protect the residents of benefit gaz ee-- benghazi. obama also had tough words for the saudis who have been worried about issues with iran. the administration dispatched secretary of state john kerry to the region over the weekend. >> there are tangible, practical holding your hand ways that foreign leaders around the world requ

already the syrian government says it's not prepared to compromise on president bashar al-assad's role, he must stay, and a member of the bloc told al jazeera that from their side, their view is that bashar al-assad must go. >> there's a simple rule in this universe, in this whole existence, at the end of the day no one can trade the will of syrian people for criminals and mass murders. people are the only ones to determine the future of syria. it was clear when the russians stopped bombing. our people went to the streets and demonstrated against the bashar al-assad regime. they want to topple the regime. even after five long years of killing, barrel bombs and shelling. >> what can be expect from john kerry meeting foreign ministers in paris. >> this is a meeting with john kerry, and four of the european foreign minister, the most powerful e.u. companies. the e 4 along with frederica, the top e.u. official. they'll be looking at the process here in geneva, ahead of the talks starting on monday. i think they'll be glad that they have both sides here, both sides prepared to meet mr demis

solution, one that may not involve bashar al assad. see you tomorrow. that was the syrian envoy, saying talks were positive and constructive and they have submitted ideas for a political solution to the problems going on in syria. it really has been described as a moment of truth. that's how the u.n. special envoy for syria is saying about the latest round of talks to try to end the war, which has been raging for five years. he was speaking in geneva where dips are looking to build on a frank i am. >> truce which has reduced the level of violence in syria since it came into effect. i believe he is talking again. let's listen. no, that's a problem. the j special enjoy right rated there was only one way for it. >> i don't know whether anyone else has a plan b. here. i'm only aware of a plan a., which is giving the maximum chances but the maximum pressure by the international community in order to ensure that this type of infra syrian talks and the cessation of hostilities and the human task force is given the maximum opportunity. the alternative to that,

the russians, that they're trying to defeat the terrorists and essentially bolster president bashar al assad. >> the terrorists have not been defeated. >> isis still has large swaths of territory. they've not been the hardest hit by the russian bombardment. it's mainly been various islamist groups and a lot of civilian infrastructure that has born the lion's share of the russian bombardment. an important point, which is this is a question of semantics. what exactly does president putin mean when he says pulling back ground forces, some troops? does this mean an end to the

he said the forces have helped bashar al assad's military turn the tide of war. the announcement seemed to take the white house by surprise. later the white house released the statement saying president obama spoke with putin by phone about russia's withdraw and that mr. obama welcomed the news.

i think they are using bashar al-assad as a bargaining chip right now. because with the talks between john kerry and putin last week, they were talking about that. the government is using syria as a bargaining chip with americans concerning the sanctions. i think the russians are pushing towards a full package concerning a range of issue. while the americans are insisting on things. at the end of the day the russians will have to tell bashar al-assad he must go because if they are serious about ending the syrian conflict, and i think they are serious, but they are trying to use the syrian issue in order to get concessions from the americans on other issues >>> when mr putin last july to september time surprised the world, he took his eye off the ball, off ukraine and the whole issue of crimea, he focused in on syria. he is going back to focus on that. he is using him as a bargaining chip. he goes from one area to one area that makes him look strong to another area that makes him look strong and going back to crimea makes him look strong. >> i think it's

east of damascus are using the break from the bombs to hold peaceful demonstrations against the bashar al-assad government. they plan on joining hands in a nationwide peaceful protest on friday. they'll gather to call on the bashar al-assad to step down, and hope to bring back what they call the glory of the syrian revolution. >> there's even a sense of relief in government-held areas in the old city of damascus. these areas experienced calm until now. >> everyone sees that opportunity, we feel like people are happy and optimistic. >> across syria, more than a quarter of a mailion died -- million died since the conflict began. the united nations hopes this week's ceasefire will allow the talks to settle the conflict, to continue >>> aid is running out for refugees at the greece macedonian boarder. macedonia closed the boarder leaving thousands stranded. many clashed with guards. the u.n. says europe is on the cusp of a largely self-induced crisis. and the president warned some looking for a better life, to stop coming to europe. >> i want to appeal to all potential illegal economic migrants whe

if part of that deal was for president bashar al-assad to stay on for a time, would you be prepared to compromise on that. >> we don't know if there is such a deal, but we know that there is big efforts from the states, from european countries, that really made putin take this position. >> reporter: difficult diplomatic answer, but one of those represent possessing the armed groups in the hnc in his first television interview in geneva was more forth right. >> translation: we are for a political transition, but without the presence of bashar al-assad and we will not accept him having a role. >> reporter: the start of the russian pull out has changed things. how much is not yet clear. the government delegation are likely to be uneasy. the opposition a slightly more positive. however, they're still beary about russian motives. perhaps putin has still more surprise $up his sleeve >>> lots more coming up, including unclassified and stuck in limbo. the refugees struggling to find a path forward in greece. plus the metro rail system in the u.s. shuts down for an entire day. details coming up

these seem slightly more optimistic about the idea of what happens to bashar al-assad. the crucially leading the riyadh grouping, what is their line in the sign when it comes to bashar al-assad and his future in the job as president, and what happens to that before or after any potential elections? >> well, they've always had the same opposition, they see no role for assad or around assad or his associates, saying that they have blood on their hands. in the send they broke down over the agenda although whether they should discussion what the government wanted to discuss fighting what they call terrorism. that's not going to happen this time. this will start on monday. so i'm expecting a showdown on monday. >> we spoke with the spokesperson for the syrian opposition committee. we discussed their riyadh grouping. he said the prospect of assad staying on could be a deal breaker. it is not acceptable to all syrians in syria. a person who killed people and drove people out. and the aim of putin to push leaders out. >> on the ground syrian government forces have attacked while

but this is evidence that the government of syrian president bashar al-assad is still making advanc advancesazeera. >>> ending the fighting in syria ended in geneva and the special envoy to the u.n. staffan de mistura wrapped up indirect talks with the syrian government and the opposition but both sides are still in disagreement over the transition of power. staffan de mistura is pushing for a political solution and says there will be further talks in two weeks. >> the next round of talks will be not focusing on principles again. we have had enough of that and i think many valid common points there but to start focusing on the political process and to us political process based on the security council resolution adopted by everyone is political resolution. >> u.n. estimates almost 3,000 lives have been saved since the pause in fighting in syria and while diplomates struggle to find a political solution the reduction in violence is being felt in aleppo and we report on life for residents there and talks to syrians and neighboring turkey about what they think of the talks in geneva. >> reporte