Syria mediator apologizes for lack of progress

International mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said on Saturday the first two rounds of Syrian peace talks had not made much progress but said the two sides had agreed on an agenda for a third round of meetings.

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He said the last session of the second round of talks was "as laborious as all the meetings we have had, but we agreed on an agenda for the next round when it does take place," referring to points to be discussed including violence and terrorism, the transitional governing body, national institutions and national reconciliation.

"I apologize that these two rounds have not come out with very much," he said, adding the Syrian government had refused his suggestion that at the next round of talks, the sides deal with combating "terrorism" on day one and the transitional governing body on day two.

No date has been set for the two sides to meet again.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama said the United States is considering steps to apply more pressure on the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.

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We dont expect to solve this any time in the short term so there are going to be some immediate steps that we have to take to help the humanitarian situation there, Obama said on Saturday.

Obama made his comments in California during a visit from Jordan's King Abudullah II.