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PARIS (AP) — French President Francois Hollande called for the immediate implementation of humanitarian measures in Syria in order to build the conditions of a "credible cease-fire" two weeks before a new round of peace talks expected to take place in Geneva.
Hollande said in a statement that humanitarian aid should reach besieged areas, especially the rebel-held town of Madaya.
The French president met Monday with Riad Hijab, coordinator of the opposition team that will negotiate with the Syrian government.
Syrian President Bashar Assad "can't have a role" in Syria's future, Hollande said.
"We want to negotiate ... if the conditions are met", Hijab said. "We cannot negotiate with (Assad's) regime when foreign forces strike the Syrian people," he said, denouncing Russian airstrikes.
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