'Obama, Putin agree need for UN-negotiated Syria talks'

US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed today on the need for UN-sponsored peace talks and a ceasefire to resolve years of war in Syria, a White House official said.

"President Obama and President Putin agreed on the need for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition, which would be proceeded by UN-mediated negotiations between the Syrian opposition and regime as well a ceasefire," the official told reporters after the leaders met on the sidelines of a G20 summit taking place in the Turkish resort of Antalya.

The two "held a constructive discussion" that lasted about 35 minutes, the official added.