SYRIA

Assad Aide Flies to China for Talks

While report says Libyan rebels are helping opposition.

One of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s top aides flew to China on Tuesday for talks as Chinese officials insisted they would attempt to implement the proposed United Nation’s six-point peace plan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said hosting Syrian official Bouthaina Shaaban is in line with China’s “above-mentioned work by the Chinese side”—and said they are considering hosting the opposition at some point in the future. China and Russia have vetoed U.N. resolutions against the Syrian regime during the violent crackdown that has reportedly left tens of thousands dead. U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos arrived in Syria on Tuesday to help distribute humanitarian aid, while Reuters reported veteran fighters of Libya’s civil war have arrived in Syria to join the opposition.