PARIS - France hosted a meeting on the Syria conflict Tuesday with European and Arab allies in addition to the United States, but without Russia and Iran, Damascus' traditional partners, the foreign ministry said.

In a statement issued by the Quai d'Orsay, France's top diplomat Laurent Fabius would receive "the main partners engaged with France in dealing with the Syrian crisis: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey, Germany, the United States, Italy and Britain."

"They will discuss the means to bring about a political transition towards a united and democratic Syria, respectful of all communities, while also reinforcing the fight against terrorism," it added.

The fresh talks is a new round of negotiations to dig for a diplomatic end to the Syrian crisis after France, its western allies and Arab partners stood firm in their demand that Syrian president Bashar al-Assad leave power to draw a new era in the Arab country, which Russia, Syria refuse. (Xinhua)