Syria's neighboring foreign ministers call for lifting sanctions and reconciliation

Syria’s top diplomat and his counterparts from neighboring countries have called for the lifting of Western-led sanctions and post-war reconciliation. The statement Sunday comes following days of clashes between Syrian security forces and insurgents of the minority Alawite community loyal to the deposed Bashar Assad government in Syria’s coastal province. Some rights groups say the fighting has killed hundreds. The Associated Press could not independently verify those numbers. The foreign ministers of Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon made their remarks alongside Asaad Hassan al-Shibani in Amman. The United States and Europe have been hesitant to lift sanctions off Syria before there is a clear political transition that is democratic and inclusive.