Biden's Europe Visit To Focus On Syrian Conflict

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (file photo)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is expected to discuss the ongoing civil war in Syria this week when he embarks on a three-country European tour.

Biden leaves on January 31 for Germany, where he is to attend the Munich Security Conference on two days later.

On the sidelines of the conference, Biden is to hold talks with leading Syrian opposition leader Moaz al-Khatib, the international peace envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Moscow is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Biden's talks on Syria come as concerns mount that the Syrian conflict could spill over into other countries following an Israeli attack within its borders.

Biden is also scheduled to visit France and Britain on is his first international trip since the Obama administration's second term started.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP