President Assad could be forced into exile as part of a deal between Russia and the West to combat the rise of Isis in Syria, under plans discussed at the G7 Summit in Germany.
Despite continuing tensions with Russia over Ukraine diplomatic sources at the summit suggested that there was new common ground between the West and Moscow on the need for a diplomatic solution to the impasse in Syria.
The deteriorating situation on the ground both in Syria and Iraq dominated Sunday night’s leaders’ dinner at the Schloss Elmau resort while it also figured in bilateral talks between David Cameron and President Obama.
Downing Street said after the meeting that while significant problems remained the potential for a deal which would see some sort of limited regime change in Damascus was greater than it had been for more than a year.
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