Syrian Opposition Expanded Meeting 2 Kicks off in Riyadh

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir attends an interview with Reuters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 16, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir attends an interview with Reuters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 16, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
TT
20

Syrian Opposition Expanded Meeting 2 Kicks off in Riyadh

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir attends an interview with Reuters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 16, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir attends an interview with Reuters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 16, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser

The Syrian Opposition's second expanded meeting launched in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, who hosts the meeting, addressed the opening session of the two-day gathering before leaving the room for the members of Syrian opposition to discuss the crisis in their country, welcoming them in the Kingdom and expressing hope that their endeavor and efforts strike every success.

In his speech, Jubeir said the meeting comes amid international consensus on the importance of reaching a political solution to the Syrian crisis, describing the stage the Syrian crisis is witnessing as critical as it turned seventh.

Addressing the partakers, he said "the Syrian people everywhere are now gearing to you and waiting for tangible results to achieve their aspirations as you are now facing an historic responsibility to end the crisis which your people can no longer tolerate and gearing to see a solution in the offing and move to future under a clear political framework".

Jubeir stated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will remain standing by the side of the Syrian people, as firm as it was.

“We will provide help and support for them in all what they need,” Jubeir told reporters.

“We hope they can come out of the conference unified,” he added.

He pointed that there would be no solution for the Syrian crisis without Syrian congruence and consensus that would achieve the aspirations of the people who look forward to see their suffering coming to an end based on Geneva I declaration and UN Security Council resolution No. 2254.

For his part, Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy for the Syrian crisis, who also attended the opening session, demanded the Syrian opposition to form a unified delegation to Geneva talks, saying that humanitarian assistance should reach everyone in the besieged areas and adding that "within few days we are going to put a framework for the political process in Syria".

De Mistura added that Riyadh meeting aims at reactivating Geneva negotiations.

Following the departure of Jubeir, the conference, which gathers a wide-range spectrum of the Syrian opposition, started.



Blast at Los Angeles Sheriff's Facility Leaves 3 Dead

A Los Angeles County sheriff's officer stands watch as a police vehicle passes by, while officers block the road to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Biscailuz Center Academy Training facility,in East Los Angeles, California, US July 18, 2025. REUTERS/ Mike Blake
A Los Angeles County sheriff's officer stands watch as a police vehicle passes by, while officers block the road to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Biscailuz Center Academy Training facility,in East Los Angeles, California, US July 18, 2025. REUTERS/ Mike Blake
TT
20

Blast at Los Angeles Sheriff's Facility Leaves 3 Dead

A Los Angeles County sheriff's officer stands watch as a police vehicle passes by, while officers block the road to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Biscailuz Center Academy Training facility,in East Los Angeles, California, US July 18, 2025. REUTERS/ Mike Blake
A Los Angeles County sheriff's officer stands watch as a police vehicle passes by, while officers block the road to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Biscailuz Center Academy Training facility,in East Los Angeles, California, US July 18, 2025. REUTERS/ Mike Blake

An explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility has killed three deputies, local media reported on Friday, though officials have yet to confirm any deaths.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said an explosion occurred at the Biscailuz Center Academy Training in East Los Angeles. The spokesperson said the cause was under investigation and that they were not yet ready to confirm any deaths or injuries, Reuters reported.

The Los Angeles Times newspaper, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, reported that three deputies were killed in the blast, which took place when a bomb squad moved some explosives.

Hilda Solis, who serves on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, said in a written statement that "my heart goes out to the families, friends, and colleagues of the three individuals who lost their lives in what appears to have been a devastating explosion."

US Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on social media that she had spoken with Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna along with US Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli "about what appears to be a horrific incident that killed at least three at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles."

Bondi said that federal agents were at the scene and working to learn more.