Russian, US top generals discuss Syria by phone

MOSCOW – The head of Russia's military General Staff and the head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff discussed the Syrian crisis, including the situation in besieged eastern Ghouta, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The two men agreed in their telephone conversation to continue bilateral contacts, it added.

Russia backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in that country's civil war, while the United States has backed rebel groups opposed to him.