Friends of Syria meeting begins in Istanbul

ISTANBUL (AA) - April 1, 2012 - The second edition of the Friends of Syria conference meeting began on Sunday in Istanbul to seek an international agreement on how to end the crisis in Syria.     The conference is participated by representatives from 82 countries and foreign ministers from 41 countries including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Russia and China, which vetoed a Security Council resolution calling Damascus to end violence, have said they would not participate in Sunday's conference.  Countries which voted against a UN General Assembly resolution were not invited to the meeting.     The Istanbul gathering follows the first edition organized in Tunisia in February, and it comes just days after the Syrian regime's declared acceptance of a UN peace plan that includes government ceasefire as well as negotiations with the opposition for a political settlement.   The Turkish Foreign Ministry has said during the conference, participants will exchange views on opening up the way for a comprehensive political transition process in accordance with the legitimate demands and aspirations of the Syrian people and will address the efforts of Kofi Annan, the UN-Arab League Joint Special Envoy for Syria. Putting an end to the violence in Syria, withdrawal of all Syrian military and armed forces from cities and towns, overcoming the humanitarian crisis, providing humanitarian access to people in need and sanctions against Syria will be discussed and possible additional measures will be considered during the conference.