Assad meeting with Red Cross 'positive

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Red Cross President Peter Maurer held ''positive talks'' in Damascus on ways of expanding humanitarian operations in the war-torn country, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) spokesperson Hicham Hassan said on Tuesday. ''The ICRC's questions had positive answers,'' said Hassan, following the 45-minute meeting between Assad and Maurer. The ICRC requested permission to expand humanitarian aid in Syria. Protection of civilians, access to food, medical care and other essential goods, and access to detainees were among the issues tabled, Hassan said. Assad and Maurer also discussed the need to find ''faster ways to help the ICRC to expand its humanitarian operations,'' Hassan said. Maurer reached Syria on Monday for a three-day visit.