Tunisia says it will host ‘Friends of Syria’ meeting

CAIRO — Tunisia says it will host the inaugural meeting of the “Friends of Syria” group to explore ways to further isolate President Bashar Assad, support his foes and end violence.

Tunisian Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem told a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo that his North African nation was ready to host the Feb. 24 meeting.

U.S. calls for a meeting of the Friends of Syria group followed the veto by Russia and China last weekend of a Western and Arab attempt at the U.N. to pressure Assad to step down.

The Tunisia meeting will bring together the United States, its European allies and Arab states working to end Syria’s turmoil.