An expanded meeting on the Syrian crisis kicked off in the Austrian capital Vienna on Friday with the participation of several foreign ministers from Arab and Western countries.

The foreign ministers of Egypt, US, Russia and Iran are among the participants.

The meeting is due to discuss proposals to revive the political process in Syria in order to bring an end to the Syrian crisis.

The Vienna discussions are expected to be the first time where all major international players in the conflict, linked to the nearly five-year conflict, will participate.

Russia and Iran are supporting Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's forces, while Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the West are backing rebels fighting Assad.

Source: MENA