The G8 summit in Northern Ireland focused heavily on the continuing civil war in Syria. The world leaders were able to agree on the need for a peace summit as soon as possible, but they made no mention as to the fate of President Assad.
The talks caused tensions between Russia and the rest of the leaders. President Putin has been Assad’s most powerful ally in the conflict, who said at the summit that Russia would not rule out sending the Syrian regime more arms, saying “We are supplying arms to the legitimate government in accordance with legal contracts,”
It is believed Assad’s regime has killed more than 93,000 people. The US, Europe, Turkey and Gulf States support the rebels.
The leaders did not fix a date for any peace talks, however the commitment was seen as progress in the situation.
Read More: France 24
Anti-capitalist groups converged on London today to protest ahead of the G8 summit in Northern Ireland next week.
Riot police were deployed as protests turned violent and protestors damaged buildings in central London. The StopG8 group had called for disruption on the streets on London for the week running up to the G8 meeting, asking that anti-capitalist groups create a “Carnival Against Capitalism”. Police made 57 arrests during the demonstrations which centred on the Oxford Street and Regent Street areas of the city.
The G8 meeting of the world’s wealthiest leaders begins next week at the Lough Erne resort in Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
Read More: BBC News
The G8 leaders met at Camp David before the Nato Summit in Chicago. The G8 is made up of the leaders of: America, Canada, Britain, France, Russia, Germany, Italy and Japan.
The financial crisis was at the centre of talks.
This was the first time newly elected French President Francois Hollande and President Obama have met. The two men are said to have agreed on the need to concentrate on growth, seen as Obama’s approval of Hollande’s policy, of moving away from austerity, towards stimulating the economy with more borrowed money.
Obama’s endorsement of Hollande has left Germany’s Angela Merkel more isolated in Europe
Random Events, Free Will, Pre-destiny or Something Darker ?