WASHINGTON

Secretary of State John Kerry hosted a meeting Monday with Arab and European diplomatic leaders to discuss the conflict in Syria and possible ways forward to achieve a political transition. 

The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of the UK, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Turkey, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

"The ministers agreed that concerted international action is required to bring an end to the Syrian conflict," according to a statement. "In particular, the participants discussed ideas for building renewed and credible diplomatic momentum that could bring an end to the conflict and allow Syrians to chart a peaceful future without [Syrian President Bashar] Assad.”

Kerry told his counterparts that the U.S.-led coalition would “raise the tempo and intensity of counter-ISIL operations in Syria”.

The leaders also reviewed Russia’s decision to increase its military presence in Syria.