DHAKA: Pope Francis, in a letter to Russian president Vladimir Putin for the G20 conference, on Thursday urged world leaders to ‘lay aside the futile pursuit of a military solution’ in Syria.

‘Rather, let there be a renewed commitment to seek, with courage and determination, a peaceful solution through dialogue and negotiation of the parties, unanimously supported by the international community,’ the pope said in the letter.

The Jerusalem Post publishes this report on Thursday.

BDST: 1942 HRS, SEPT 05, 2013
RoR/RIS