US slams Syrian diplomat for speech at peace talks

MONTREUX, Switzerland (AP) — The United States is criticizing Syria’s top diplomat for his “inflammatory” speech at an international peace conference aimed at ending the country’s brutal conflict.

The State Department said Wednesday that remarks from Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem were not in keeping with the spirit or aims of the gathering, which is intended to begin the process of forming a transitional government. Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that instead of laying out a “positive vision” for Syria’s future, al-Moallem chose “inflammatory rhetoric.”